By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
Public transportation and barber shops or salons shall remain closed under the modified enhanced community quarantine as the government continued to encourage the citizens to stay at home at all times to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was announced that Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City will be under the MECQ from May 16 to 31.
Roque announced that public transport shall remain prohibited under the MECQ. No domestic flights and only limited international flights will be allowed. Inbound travel of overseas Filipino workers and returning Filipinos shall be controlled.
Meanwhile, biking and non-motorized transport are encouraged. Only one passenger is allowed for bicycles, motorcycles, and e-scooters. However, tricycles may be exempted subject to guidelines issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government or the local government unit.
Public shuttles, on the other hand, are allowed under all quarantine zones but it will only be available for frontliners under the ECQ.
Personal vehicles can be used under the MECQ by persons and workers in permitted sectors and activities but only two passengers are allowed per row.
GATHERINGS
Under the MECQ, gatherings shall be restricted to only five people while 10 people are allowed to gather under the general community quarantine.
Religious gatherings, according to Roque, are still not allowed.
EXERCISE AND SPORTS
Limited outdoor exercises like outdoor walk, jog, run, and bike are now allowed under the MECQ. However, those who will do so should wear a mask at all times and maintain a distance of at least two meters. Meanwhile, limited contact sports like golf and tennis are now allowed under the GCQ.
PARTIALLY OPEN
The following manufacturing sectors under Category II are partially allowed (50 percent on-site, 50 percent work-from-home) under the MECQ:
* Beverages such as alcoholic drinks.
* Electrical machinery.
* Wood products and furniture.
* Non-metallic products.
* Textiles and wearing apparels.
* Tobacco products.
* Paper and paper products.
* Rubber and plastic products.
* Coke and refined petroleum products.
* Other non-metallic mineral products.
* Computer, electronic, and optical products.
* Electrical equipment.
* Machinery and equipment.
* Motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers.
* Other transport equipment.
Real estate activities are partially allowed under both ECQ and MECQ.
Essential and priority public and private construction projects are allowed under the MECQ but small-scale projects are prohibited.
Office administrative and office support like photocopying and billing is partially allowed under the MECQ.
Accommodation for guests is partially allowed in all quarantine zones but only for existing long-term bookings or bookings as of May 1 in Luzon.
Funeral and embalming services, veterinary clinics, and security and investigation activities are likewise partially allowed under the MECQ.
Also partially allowed are other financial services, legal and accounting, management consultancy activities, architecture and engineering activities, and scientific and research development.
CATEGORY III
Meanwhile, film, music, and TV production and publishing and printing activities are partially allowed under the MECQ.
Other sectors under the Category III may also partially operate under the MECQ:
* Advertising and market research.
* Computer programming and information service activities.
* Rental and leasing, other than real estate.
* Employment activities.
* Photography, fashion, industrial, graphic, and interior design.
* Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles.
* Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Malls and commercial centers and non-leisure establishments or stores are partially allowed under the MECQ:
* Dining/Restaurants (Deliver and take-out only).
* Hardware stores.
* Clothing and accessories.
* Mall-based government frontline services.
* Hardware stores.
* Bookstores and school and office supplies stores.
* Baby care supplies stores.
* Pet food and pet care supplies.
* IT, communications, and electronic equipment.
* Flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, and perfume shops.
* Toy store (with playgrounds and amusement area closed).
To avoid being stopped at checkpoints, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año urged workers to bring their IDs and certificate of employment when traveling. However, since public transport remains suspended, he said companies should provide a shuttle for their employees.
NOT ALLOWED
Barbershops and salons remain prohibited under the MECQ.
Also still not allowed in all quarantine zones:
* Gyms and fitness studios and sports facilities.
* Entertainment industries such as cinemas, theaters, and karaoke bars.
* Kid amusement industries such as playrooms and rides.
* Libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers.
* Tourist destinations like water parks, beaches, and resorts.
* Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service, and related activities.
* Personal care services such as massage parlors, sauna, facial care, and waxing.
