Manila, Philippines – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday announced the approval of the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to placed NCR to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions” starting August 1 until August 15, 2021.
Meanwhile, starting August 1 to August 7, 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) retains Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in areas in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province in Region 6 and Cagayan de Oro City and Gingoog City in Region 10.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the new IATF recommended classification of quarantines especially in GCQ and MGCQ areas will start on August 1 to August 31, 2021.
Here is the summary of the new classifications:
| ECQ (August 1-7, 2021) | MECQ (August 1-15, 2021) | GCQ with heightened restriction (August 1-15, 2021) | GCQ | MGCQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R6: Iloilo City and Iloilo Province R10: Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog City | R1: Ilocos Norte R3: Bataan R7: Lapulapu and Mandaue City | NCR + Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Lucena R1: Ilocos Sur R2: Cagayan R5: Naga City R6: Antique, Aklan, Bacolod City, and Capiz R7: Negors Oriental R9: Zamboanga del Sur R10: Misamis Oriental R11: Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental CARAGA: Butuan City | CAR: Apayao and Baguio City R2: City of Santiago, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino R4-A: Batangas and Quezon Province R4-B: Puerto Princesa City R6: Guimaras and Negros Occidental R9: Zamboanga Sibugay, City of Zamboanga, and Zamboanga del Norte R11: Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur R12: General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato, CARAGA: Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Sur BARMM: Cotabato City | Rest of the Philippines |
GCQ With Heightened Restrictions Explained
Secretary Harry Roque explained the GCQ with heightened restrictions that will be imposed in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite until August 15 as follows:
Transportation
- Only the essential travel in and out of NCR Plus are allowed.
- Public transportation is still operational provided that the capacities and protocols is in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
- Use of active transportation shall be promoted
- Individuals from18 years old to 65 years old is allowed to leave their homes in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions.
Dine-In
- Individuals from18 years old to 65 years old is allowed to leave their homes in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions.
Tourist Spots
- 30% with strict adherence to minimum public health standards maybe opened for outdoor tourist spots.
Specialized Markets of Department of Tourism
“Further allowed in the NCR Plus are specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT) following the minimum public health standards and implementation of protocols and restrictions as set by the DOT,” said Sec. Roque.
Religious Gatherings
- 10% venue capacity is allowed in Religious gatherings, gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals.
Others
- 30% capacity is allowed in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions for non-contact sports in outdoor contact sports, games, scrimmages. Likewise, 30% capacity is also allowed for personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, beauty clinics and etc.
Not Allowed in GCQ with heightened restriction
GCQ areas with heightened restrictions are strictly prohibited in entertainment venues (bars, concert halls, theaters, etc.), recreational venues (internet cafes, billiards halls, arcades, etc.), amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides, indoor sports courts, and venues and indoor tourist attractions; venues for meetings, conferences.
Interzonal travel from NCR Plus shall not be allowed in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions except those under Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs).
Covid-19 Updates as of July 29, 2021
The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines has released the latest COVID-19 tally of active cases, deaths, and recoveries on Thursday, July 29, 2021.
The number of active cases in the Philippines has slightly increased by 5,735. The total number of active cases in the Philippines has now ballooned to 56,273.
Meanwhile, 4,069 has been reported new recoveries in the country. Complete details are presented in the table below.
| Classification | No. of Cases |
|---|---|
| New Cases | 5,735 |
| Recoveries | 4,069 |
| Deaths | 176 |
| Total Active Cases | 56,273 |
| Total Recoveries | 1,488,437 |
| Total Deaths | 27,577 |
| Total Covid-19 Cases | 1,572,287 |
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