MECQ is back today: Here’s what we need to know
It’s official, today is the start of a stricter quarantine in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan. President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to place these four areas since he granted the appeal from the medical community. Authorities will start imposing MECQ in these high-risk areas for only two weeks. But then, you might want to know what to expect.
Stricter rules to limit the movement of people
According to Malacañang, going back to MECQ suspends public transport, closes non-essential stores, and brings back the policy for quarantine passes. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that they are not going to allow public transport. There are few exceptions for the tricycle operations in accordance with the guidelines from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and respective LGUs. He told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo, “Balik po tayo sa shuttle muna at saka motorsiklo, sa bisikleta, mga pribadong sasakyan.”
For those companies that want to continue their operations, they should provide shuttle services. In addition to that, the shuttle may operate with a passenger capacity of 50% and a special permit from LTFRB. Meanwhile, those who drive personal vehicles should only have two (2) persons per row. You may also expect checkpoints as said by Philippine National Police spokesperson BGen. Bernard Banac. He added that those who will travel to work starting today should prepare their company identification cards. During an interview yesterday, Banac said, “The PNP is all set for the implementation of the MECQ by midnight tonight. By tomorrow, we expect that checkpoints will be set up again in all borders inside Metro Manila, ‘yung mga inter-city and inter-province borders natin.”
Moreover, Roque explained that supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, export-oriented firms, and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms can stay open under the MECQ. Restaurants will only have take out and delivery services with no dine-in policy. You should also bring a quarantine pass if you’re the one who’s doing the grocery run. And remember, any person below 21 years old and those who are 60 and above should stay home.
Do you guys think this will be effective in containing the virus?
