In a late-night address on Wednesday, July 15, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila extends until July 31. It may be placed back under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) though if situation doesn’t get better by that time.
“Nagkaroon ng rekomendasyon ang UP na ibalik sa MECQ and Metro Manila. Kapag hindi pa rin napabagal ang pagdami ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa Metro Manila, posible pong mabalik sa MECQ,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Cebu Province, Talisay, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Minglanilla, Concepcion, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte and Basilan are still placed under GCQ.
Cebu City, on the other hand, has been downgraded to MECQ from ECQ, the only area in the country under such more stringent status.
Other places in the country are now under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). Local governments are still encouraged to implement localized lockdowns if necessary.
Mass gatherings still not allowed
Roque reiterated that public gatherings are still prohibited. Although partial resumption of gatherings for religious purposes were already allowed by the IATF since July 10.
“Hanggang 10 [people] pa lang din—bagamat pinayagan ang pagsamba under GCQ hanggang 10 percent [capacity],” said Roque.
PH ready for ‘flexible learning’
According to education secretary Leonor Briones, the country may adopt blended learning strategies from neighboring countries such as Thailand.
Schools in low-risk areas may opt for face-to-face classes. Health secretary Francisco Duque III emphasized though, only 10 students are allowed to stay in one classroom to observe physical distancing.
“Bago tayo magbukas ng schools, dapat makita natin ang re-engineering, mga protection, mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin at mga configuration sa pagpasok at paglabas,” said COVID-19 response chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. in support of back-to-school plans.
CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera urged all universities to move all lab subjects and internships to second semester. “Hindi kami nagbabago sa aming stand na August 24 talaga magbukas ang mga klase. August 24 magbubukas na ang klase, whatever form it is,” Briones concluded.
Header photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Operations Office
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