RESTRICTIONS STILL IN PLACE
Downgrade of quarantine classification in the NCR Plus to stricter GCQ.
MEASURES
- On 13 May 2021, it was reported that the quarantine classification in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus) and other areas will be downgraded from Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions. The following measures under the GCQ will be implemented from 15 May 2021 to 31 May 2021.
- Prohibition of interzonal travel, except those conducted by Authorized Persons Outside Residence.
- Only individuals aged 18 to 65 are allowed to leave their homes.
- Entertainment venues, recreational venues, indoor sports courts and venues, indoor tourist attractions, and venues for meetings, conferences and exhibitions will not be allowed.
- Religious gatherings and gatherings for necgrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals will be allowed up to 10% of venue capacity.
- On 18 May 2021, the Philippines announced that religious gatherings will be allowed up to 30% capacity.
- Indoor and outdoor dine-in services shall be at 20% and 50% venue or seating capacity respectively.
- Outdoor tourist attractions may be opened at 30% venue capacity.
- Non-contact sports, games, scrimmages held outdoors; and personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask. removal, such as salons, parlors, beauty clinics are allowed to be continued at 30% capacity.
- Quarantine control points will remain in place in the NCR Plus borders.
- Non-essential or unnecessary travels going in and out of NCR Plus.
- Other areas under stricter GCQ include: Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Puerto Princesa, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur
- Santiago City in Isabela, Zamboanga City, and the provinces of Quirino and Ifugao will remain under the stricter MECQ.
- Remaining areas of the country is under modified GCQ.
- The latest Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines has been updated on 20 May 2021.
IMPACT ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Under GCQ, businesses and employees involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses (supermarkets, grocery stores, food preparation establishments for take-away & delivery only, food delivery services) are allowed to operate at full operational capacity. Restaurants and cafes are only allowed to operate with 30% venue capacity.
- Under MGCQ, similar to GCQ, all the businesses and employees involved in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses (supermarkets, grocery stores, food preparation establishments for take-away & delivery only, food delivery services) are allowed to operate at full operational capacity. A maximum of fifty percent (50%) of seating capacity has been given to the restaurants and cafes for the operations.