Philippine authorities eased quarantine restrictions this week to allow businesses to resume operations.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued Resolution No. 38 easing some prohibitions in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
The resolution maintains restrictions in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).
Most of the country was placed under GCQ on May 1 except for Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales, which were placed on MECQ.
Cebu and Mandaue were asked to remain under ECQ because of their high number of coronavirus infections.
Most economic activities are allowed under GCQ, subject to public health precautions and local regulations intended to prevent more cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
ECQ and MECQ allow economic activities only to the most essential and limits the nonessential movement of people.
The new guidelines allow the full operation of public or private hospitals; health and emergency front-line services; and manufacturers of medicines, medical supplies, devices and equipment in areas under all quarantine categories.
Resolution 38 also allows industries in agriculture, forestry and fishery as well as delivery and courier services for food, medicine and other essential goods to resume full operations in all quarantine categories.
