Differences on ECQ, MECQ and GCQ

MANILA - Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna will be under a modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ until May 31.

Other areas were either placed under GCQ or general community quarantine while quarantines were lifted others, without sacrificing health measures. 

Modified ECQ Versus GCQ: Why ECQ in NCR, Laguna, Cebu City Cannot Be Lifted

The government has to consider recommendations to lift the enhanced community quarantine gradually or in a phased manner to avoid resurgence of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque had said that some parts of Metro Manila could be eased into a general community quarantine (GCQ) due to indications that the coronavirus disease 2019 curve was flattening, it was announced on Tuesday, May 12 that a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) would be imposed over the National Capital Region, Laguna and Cebu City until May 31.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the case doubling time for COVID-19 and the “critical care utilization” were among the health factors taken into consideration by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics in making the recommendation.

In a virtual press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that aside from health, the IATF also looked into security, social and economic aspects when they made the decision concerning the ECQ.

The IATF also said it considered the recommendations of the World Health Organization to lift the ECQ gradually or in a phased manner to avoid resurgence of the disease.

Here are the differences between ECQ, MECQ and GCQ:

Enhanced Community Quarantine:

No movement regardless of age and health status

No economic activity except utility services, food, water and other essential sectors

No public transport

No physical classes

Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine:

Limited movement of people to get essential services and to go to work

Gradual reopening of the economy with select manufacturing and processing plants allowed to open up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity

Limited transportation services for essential goods and services

Limited transportation for those going to work and for essential services

Classes are still suspended in all levels

General Community Quarantine: 

Limited movements but government and almost all industries will be allowed to operate up to 75 percent except amusement and those with mass gatherings

Limited transport services with social distancing

Flexible learning will be allowed but without face-to-face learning