EXPLAINER: MECQ 2021 guidelines

MANILA, Philippines – After the two-week imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Metro Manila and four nearby provinces will transition to a less stricter modified ECQ (MECQ).

Photo Credit: Canadianinquirer

The new community quarantine classification will take effect on Monday, April 12 until the end of the month.

SEE ALSO: Summary of classifications for April 2021

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said a week-long MECQ is expected to slash daily COVID-19 infection by around 4,000 a day.

But what is MECQ again?

Based on Omnibus Guidelines as of April 3, MECQ refers to the transition phase between ECQ and general community quarantine (GCQ), when the following temporary measures are relaxed and become less necessary:

• stringent limits on movement and transportation of people
• strict regulation of operating industries
• provision of food and essential services
• heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols.

UPDATE: New curfew hours for NCR under MECQ out

Roque said details of the MECQ guidelines will be discussed in the press briefing on Monday.

"Bukas sa regular press briefing, pag-uusapan muli ang pagkakaiba ng ECQ at MECQ," he said.

Here's a comparison of ECQ and MECQ from IATF

Comparative Matrix ECQ vs MECQ by TheSummitExpress on Scribd

MECQ Guidelines

1. Minimum public health standards shall be complied with at all times for the duration of the MECQ.

2. Strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households. The movement of all persons shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in permitted offices or establishments.

3. Any person below eighteen (18) years old, those who are over sixty-five years (65) of age, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted by the government.

4. All establishments, persons, or activities permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken during ECQ under Section 2(4) of the Omnibus Guidelines shall be allowed to operate at full on-site capacity.

5. All establishments, persons, or activities not permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken during ECQ shall be allowed to operate at fifty percent (50%) on-site capacity, while encouraging work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements, where applicable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without prejudice to the authority of DTI to issue a negative list of industries which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MECQ, the following establishments, persons, or activities shall not be permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken during MECQ:

a. Entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, and cinemas;

b. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and similar venues;

c. Amusement parks or theme parks, fairs/peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom and kiddie rides;

d. Outdoor sports courts or venues for contact sports, scrimmages, games, or activities;

e. Indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, spas or other indoor leisure centers or facilities, and swimming pools;

f. Cas*nos, horse racing, sabong, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except for the draws conducted by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO);

g. Indoor visitor or tourist attractions, libraries, archives, museums, galleries, and cultural shows and exhibits;

h. Outdoor tourist attractions;

i. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;

j. Personal care services which include beauty salons, beauty parlors, medical aesthetic clinics, cosmetic or derma clinics, make-up salons, nail spas, reflexology, aesthetics, wellness and holistic centers, and other similar establishments; acupuncture and electrocautery establishments, and massage therapy including sports therapy establishments. It also includes establishments providing tanning services, body piercings, tattooing and similar services. Home service for these activities are likewise not permitted.

k. Indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as commissaries, restaurants, and eateries. (NOTE: 50% outdoor dining will be allowed under MECQ).

6. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall be fully operational, with a skeleton workforce on-site and the remainder under alternative work arrangements as approved by the head of agency unless a greater on-site capacity is required in agencies providing health and emergency frontline services, laboratory and testing services, border control, or other critical services, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the CSC.

7. Only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid DOT Accreditation shall be allowed to accommodate guests and clients for legitimate purposes under a state of public health emergency.

8. Gatherings outside of residences shall be prohibited. Religious gatherings shall be allowed up to ten percent (10%) of the venue capacity.

9. Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be suspended.

10. The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall be allowed to operate at such capacity and protocols in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr. The use of active transportation such as biking is encouraged.

11. Law enforcement agencies shall recognize any of the following IDs: (i) IATF IDs issued by the regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over permitted establishments or persons, (ii) valid IDs or other pertinent documentations issued by accrediting organizations or establishments allowed under ECQ, and, (iii) if required by the LGU, local IDs for availing of essential goods and services. No other IDs or passes specifically exempting persons from community quarantine shall be required of workers of permitted establishments and/or offices without prejudice to requiring the presentation of other documents establishing the nature of their work.

12. The movement of cargo/delivery vehicles as well as vehicles used by public utility companies shall be unhampered. Shuttle services of permitted establishments shall not be subject to an ID system but shall maintain compliance with minimum public health standards.

13. Individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running or biking, are allowed within the general area of their residence, e.g. within the barangay, purok, subdivision, and/or village. Provided, that the minimum public health standards and precautions such as the wearing of face masks, and the maintenance of social distancing protocols are observed.

14. Uniform curfew hours may be imposed by LGUs, subject to the guidelines issued by the DILG.

“On curfew, while Mayors and Governors have not yet agreed on modified hours, it remains as is. Consultations already on-going and a decision may be made soon," Roque said.

UPDATE: New curfew hours for NCR under MECQ out

OMNIBUS Guidelines as of April 3 by TheSummitExpress on Scribd

— The Summit Express