October 2020 will still be GCQ month in Metro Manila after President Rodrigo Duterte kept the capital and five other areas under the second-lowest quarantine that requires face masks, face shields, and physical distancing.
WHERE TO GO
Batangas province plus the cities of Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Iligan will also be GCQ.
The lowest quarantine classification, MGCQ, remains over the rest of the Philippines. Lanao del Sur, however, will still be in MECQ, the second-highest quarantine.
Metro Manila mayors recommended continued GCQ until the end of October, but with provisions to increase businesses' operating capacity and shorten curfews. The think-tank UP Octa, which crunches COVID-19 numbers for the government, said the capital region of some 10 million people needs more "time to heal."
What does GCQ and MGCQ mean?
General Community Quarantine or GCQ is the second-lowest quarantine classification, one notch above Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ. Blanket guidelines from the national government prescribe operating capacity for businesses at GCQ and MGCQ, subject to some changes.
Take note that restrictions get adjusted in real-time, depending on the status of cases.
The following businesses are allowed only under MGCQ and at 50% capacity:
- full body massage
- tattoo and body piercing
- events and conventions
The following businesses are allowed to operate up to 30% in GCQ areas and can increase capacity to 50% in MGCQ:
- Gyms
- Review centers
- Internet cafes
- Drive-in cinemas
- Pet grooming shops
The following can operate at 100% capacity in MGCQ, subject to trade department rules:
- Malls
- Car repair
- Car sales
- Job recruitment
- Fashion
- Interior design
Restaurant dine-in, barbershops, and salons can increase capacity to 75% from 50% under MGCQ.
WHERE TO GO
In tourism, some local governments impose fewer requirements on visitors from areas with MGCQ, compared to GCQ. It can also pave the way for the resumption of inter-province land travel.
This story originally appeared on Reportr.World. Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.
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