MGCQ Unlikely for Metro Manila, June Quarantines Known on May 31: Duque

Quarantines in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces can't be dialed down one notch to GCQ yet, Health Sec. Francisco Duque said Saturday, adding classifications for June will likely be announced on May 31.

Some 24 million people in the capital region Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal  are under GCQ or general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" until May 31. A shift to Modified GCQ or MGCQ, the lowest quarantine type, means more businesses will be allowed to reopen and at higher capacities.

"Hindi puwedeng mag-MGCQ. Pag-uusapan pa 'yan sa Lunes, 'yung final recommendation for June 1 to 30," Duque told DZBB radio.

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What Does GCQ with Heightened Restrictions Mean?

What is MGCQ?

Even with a transition to MGCQ, Filipinos will still be required to adhere to minimum health standards. This means face masks and face shields will stay, and physical distancing will still be observed.

Businesses can further increase their operating capacities to as much as full capacity with the transition to MGCQ based on IATF guidelines. For businesses operating at 75% capacity in GCQ areas, these can increase to 100% in MGCQ. For those operating at 50% in GCQ areas, these can go up to 75% in MGCQ.

If approved, public utility vehicles can transport more passengers--as much as 75% of their capacity based on the recommendation of the NEDA. Under omnibus GCQ rules, transport services can only ferry half of the vehicle's capacity. Physical distancing will still be enforced in all public utility vehicles.

More people are allowed to go out of their homes in areas under MGCQ compared to areas under GCQ. For instance, leisure travel is allowed in MGCQ areas and the NEDA is also pushing for the further easing of age-based mobility restrictions to boost consumer spending.

A transition to MGCQ from GCQ will also increase the number of allowed participants in mass gatherings to as much as 75% from the prevailing 50%. This means that places of worship, such as churches, can accommodate more people at a time.