RESTRICTIONS STILL IN PLACE
Starting from 16 May, the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine is adopted in Philippines.
MEASURES
- On 15 May, the Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) released revised Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines.
- The Guidelines provide guidance on the protocols for different community quarantines, including Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), General Community Quarantine (GCQ), and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in Philippines.
- On 15 May, the latest list of areas covered by ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ was further published through the Resolution No.37. The Community Quarantine will be in force until 31 May 2020.
IMPACT ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Under ECQ, industries and workers involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other components of the food value chain, are allowed to operate at full operational capacity. Private establishments and workers involved in food supply chain businesses, including supermarkets, grocery stores, food preparation establishments (only available for take-out and delivery services) are allowed to operate too. However, for establishments involved in the production, manufacturing, packaging, processing and distribution of basic food products are only allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% workforces. If the supply level of a basic food product requires higher capacity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will authorise the approval for temporary increase of workforce capacity.
- Under the MECQ, the operation of food supply chain will be similar to the ECQ. In addition to the basic food supply, under MECQ, the manufacturing industries classified as beverages, including alcoholics drinks, will be allowed to operate at 50% workforces.
- Under the GCQ, for Category I (Industries), including businesses and employees involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses (supermarkets, grocery stores, food preparation establihsments (only available for take-out and delivery services), food delivery services are allowed to operate at full operational capacity.
- Under the MGCQ, for abovementioned Category I, the industries are allowed to operate at maximum operational capacity.