President places Bacolod under GCQ; Negros Occ. remains under MGCQ

 

Bacolod is back to GCQ.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte last night approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) to retain Metro Manila and two nearby provinces under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Duterte said Bacolod and Tacloban cities, and the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas are placed under GCQ.

Iligan City is the only area placed under stricter Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

The rest of the Philippines are placed under Modified GCQ, which includes Negros Occidental and Oriental.

The latest quarantine classifications take effect from today, Sept. 1 to 30 as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Duterte called for collective resolve to stay healthy while at the same time ensuring the safety of others, as the primary key in winning the war against the pandemic.

“Ang susi talaga sa paglaban sa Covid ay ingat at ingat, maskara, hugas, at distansya (The key to fight Covid-19 is to keep safe, wearing of face mask, washing of hands, and physical distancing),” Duterte said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said all people should remain “homeliners” to stop the spread of the virus.

“Bawal po lumabas unless para po sa mga indispensable na pangangailangan natin o kaya para magtrabaho para sa mga industriya na pinapayagan (It is still prohibit to go outside your home unless for indispensable needs or going to work for industries allowed to operate),” Roque said.

Under MGCQ areas, Roque also said mass gatherings with 50 percent capacity are allowed like movie houses, concerts, religious gatherings, and sporting events.

In Metro Manila, local governments executives requested the IATF to allow only up to 10 people in religious gatherings to contain the spread of Covid-19.*