Philippines: Authorities enforcing COVID-19 controls nationwide through Dec. 31; Isabela Province tightening protocols as of Dec. 15 /update 46

Event

The Philippines continues to enforce community quarantine restrictions of varying levels nationwide through at least Dec. 31 amid ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. The country remains under Code Red Sublevel 2 on the code alert system, indicating ongoing local virus transmission with greater numbers of cases than the government can address.

Several areas are enacting the general community quarantine (GCQ), the third-strictest level of controls. The central government has ordered Isabela Province to implement GCQ through Dec. 31 due to increased local COVID-19 activity in the area. Additionally, local officials in Laoag City are enforcing GCQ as of Dec. 15, while Northern Samar Province's Catarman Municipality is enacting GCQ through Jan. 3, 2021. Under the GCQ, most workplaces and public places can operate with distancing protocols. Select industries, such as agriculture, supermarkets, and utilities, can operate on-site at full capacity. Several other sectors, including barbershops and salons, may open at reduced capacities. Public transport can operate at a reduced capacity with health protocols, such as maintaining one-meter distancing between passengers. Nonessential mass gatherings remain capped at 10 people, while religious congregations can occur with attendees occupying up to 30 percent of the venues' capacity. The central government has mandated officials to enforce GCQ through Dec. 31 in the following locations:

• Luzon: Metro Manila and Batangas and Isabela provinces

• Mindanao: Davao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces and Davao and Iligan cities

• Visayas: Iloilo and Tacloban cities

The central government allows all other localities to enact the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), which is the least severe level of restrictions, through Dec. 31. Companies can work on-site, though at-risk employees must telecommute. Officials are allowing public places, such as food establishments and gyms, to operate at 50-percent capacity. Public transport can operate with distancing controls in place. Mass gatherings may occur at half of the venue capacity. Universities can conduct on-site activities with health protocols, while other educational institutions remain suspended, with limited exceptions.

While the central government has not mandated any locality to enact the two most stringent levels of protocols, the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), local officials in some areas are enacting or may appeal to implement these controls. Local authorities in Ilocos Sur Province's Tagudin Municipality have extended MECQ through Dec. 21. Under the MECQ, residents can leave their homes to obtain essential supplies or seek emergency care. Key industries, including agriculture, food establishments, and manufacturing of essential products, can work on-site with full capacity. Several sectors, such as real estate and manufacturing of nonessential goods, can operate with half their workforce. Most public transport and domestic flights are suspended, while essential mass gatherings are limited to five people.

Wearing both facemasks and face shields is compulsory when in public nationwide. Facilities such as children's amusement parks and establishments primarily serving alcoholic drinks remain closed in all forms of community quarantine. People aged 15-65 can leave their homes, though stricter rules are in place in several areas, including Metro Manila, which allows people aged 18-65 to go out. At-risk groups cannot work on-site nationwide, with limited exceptions. Provincial and municipal authorities and healthcare professionals may appeal to the central government to either tighten or ease measures. Airlines, including AirAsia (AK), Cebgo (DG), Cebu Pacific (5J), and Philippine Airlines (PR), are operating domestic routes between several cities with health protocols in place; passengers must wear facemasks.

Local governments in several areas are implementing restrictions in addition to the controls mandated by the central government. Davao City and Metro Manila are enforcing 2100-0400 and 0000-0300 curfews respectively through Dec. 31. Exemptions from the curfew are in place for people commuting to and from workplaces with permission to operate on-site, transport workers, and people in emergencies, among others. Local officials may enforce short-term movement restrictions, such as stay-home orders with limited exemptions, to facilitate the mass testing of residents.

Travel Restrictions
While most foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country, exemptions are in place for several groups of foreigners. The groups include those investor visas, visas issued by the state agencies Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and foreign nationals with long-term visas, among others. Inbound foreign nationals must secure a quarantine facility and a COVID-19 testing provider before the trips and undergo two-week quarantine upon arrival. Other visas and applications and visa-free privileges remain suspended. The government has allowed nonessential outbound travel to resume since Oct. 21. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and uniformed personnel on official duty can continue traveling outside the country.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Presidential Communications Operations Office
State COVID-19 Portal
World Health Organization (WHO)