It’s still GCQ for Iloilo City

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

The Iloilo City government will not anymore appeal the decision of the national government to retain the city under general community quarantine (GCQ) in the entire month of December despite lowering COVID-19 cases since last month.

Jeck Conlu, spokesperson of the Iloilo COVID-19 team, said they learned from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office that the GCQ will remain in effect in the city from Dec 1-31, 2020.

While the city can still appeal the classification, Conlu said they will abide by the recommendation of the National Interagency Task Force (NIATF) on COVID-19.

“We will abide by whatever decision the national government will reach. Anyway, our GCQ protocols and responses are in place and we will just add more adjustments in consideration of the upcoming holiday season,” Conlu said.

On Tuesday, Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order Nos. 190 and 194.

EO 190 regulates the sale, distribution, manufacturing, and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices in Iloilo City, while EO 194 pertains to COVID-19 related measures during the holidays (see sidebar story).

The city has been under GCQ since Oct 1. Before that, it was placed under the stricter Modified Enhanced CQ on Sept 24.  But Treñas appealed to downgrade the status to GCQ which was approved less than a week later.

 

GCQ RULES

Under NIATF rules, the following protocols must be imposed on areas under GCQ:

-Minimum public health standards shall be complied with;

-Movement of persons shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in the permitted industries and establishments. Movement for leisure purposes are still prohibited;

-The following are required to remain at home at all times except if indispensable for work in permitted industries and activities, or for obtaining essential goods and services: those below 15 years of age; those 65 years old and above; those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, other health risks, pregnant women; those who reside with the aforementioned;

-Outdoor non-contact sports such as golf, tennis, range shooting, biking, swimming, skateboarding, badminton shall be allowed. Operations of club houses or similar establishments shall be limited to basic operations. Operations of relevant clubhouses or similar establishments are limited to basic operations and restaurants and cafes up to 30% venue capacity provided social distancing protocols are observed. Dine-in establishments in these establishments are allowed to operate up to 09:00 PM. No spectators in non-contact sports shall be allowed;

-Off-track horse race betting stations may operate in areas under GCQ or lower, subject to strict health and safety protocols (per IATF Reso. No. 79);

-Religious gatherings shall be allowed up to thirty percent (30%) of the seating or venue capacity (per IATF Reso. No. 80); provided that religious gathering shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service; Provided further, that there is no objection from the local government unit where the religious gathering may take place. The religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly the social distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises (per IATF Reso. No. 51);

-Mass gatherings shall be prohibited except for provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities;

-Public transport, including road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors, will be allowed with strict safe distancing, at a reduced operational and vehicle capacity, and subject to one (1) meter distance between passengers (per Revised Omnibus Guidelines dated 10-08-2020);

-Inter-island travel from one area under GCQ to another area under GCQ are allowed, provided that safety protocols are observed (also see item 11 below). Interzonal movement from persons between areas placed under GCQ and MGCQ for any purpose other than leisure is allowed. Movement to and from an area under GCQ to an area with no community quarantine is allowed except if for leisure. (per Revised Omnibus Guidelines dated 10-08-2020);

-School may have skeletal workforce to process requirements from students and to prepare for graduation and the next semester;

-Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be suspended. For basic education, opening of classes shall be on 24 August 2020 and shall end on 30 April 2021; For higher education, recommendations of CHED shall be adopted; For technical vocational education and training (TVET) of the TESDA, trainings and assessments may be conducted subject to TESDA Guidelines and minimum public health standards (per Omnibus Guidelines issued 10-08-20). Face-to-face competency assessment for domestic work, caregiver and housekeeping qualifications, ship’s catering and other TVET qualifications may be allowed up to 50% assessment site capacity, subject to TESDA and DTI Guidelines (per IATF Resolution No. 78);

 

TRAVEL

Non-essential outbound travel for Filipinos are allowed starting 21 October 2020, subject to the following conditions (per IATF Resolution No. 79, as amended by IATF Resolution No. 80):

-For those travelling on tourist visas or short-term/visitor visas, submission of confirmed round-trip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance to cover travel disruptions and hospitalization in case of COVID-19 infections during their allowable period of stay abroad;

-Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration acknowledging the risks involved in travelling, including risk of delay in their return trip, to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines;

-Whenever required by the country of destination or the airline, a negative COVID-19 test taken in accordance with the health and safety protocols of such destination country or airline; and

-Upon return, they shall follow the Guidelines of the National Task Force for Returning Overseas Filipinos.

The foregoing shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel by Filipinos to countries where travel restrictions are in place and this is without prejudice to the Bureau of Immigration’s exercise of its mandate prior to departure (per IATF Reso. No. 79).

Tourists from areas under GCQ or lower, or those travelers from Western Visayas are allowed to go to Boracay starting 01 October 2020 (per IATF Resolution No. 74) subject to conditions.