COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines

As a measure to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines, lockdowns, officially characterized as "community quarantine" by the government, of varying strictness were imposed in numerous parts of the country. The "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) is the strictest of such measures. The largest of these measures was the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

COVID-19 community quarantines in the Philippines
Part of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
Community quarantines in the Philippines (as of August 16)
  Modified enhanced community quarantine
  General community quarantine
  Modified general community quarantine
DateMarch 15, 2020 – present
Location
Philippines
Caused byCOVID-19 pandemic
GoalsTo contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
MethodsCheckpoints for checking the motivation for travel, banning of public events, closure of commercial and retail businesses, closure of schools and universities, and other prohibitions.

Background
See also: Lockdown and quarantine

Given the rapidly increasing number of cases in the National Capital Region, Albay 2nd district representative Joey Salceda proposed a week-long lockdown of the region to prevent the disease from spreading nationwide. Salceda specifically proposed the closure of the Philippine expressway network and public transportation accessing the region, in addition to the suspension of classes and work.[1] President Duterte initially rejected the proposal claiming it would "hamper the flow of basic commodities".[2] Secretary Duque, however, raised the possibility of a lockdown on certain cities or towns if cases of community-based transmissions are reported, but not an entire region.[3] On March 12, President Duterte announced a partial lockdown covering Metro Manila,[4] that began on March 15.

At one point during President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement about the Metro Manila "community quarantine," he said that "they are afraid to call it a lockdown, but it is a lockdown."[5][6] This statement left many confused.[7] His cabinet secretary, Karlo Nograles, later made it clear that the proper term is "community quarantine" and the President's comment means that the event "is like a lockdown."[5][7] Nograles further said that the term "lockdown" can lead to different interpretations, while "community quarantine" is a technical term that medical authorities can give meaning, which does not create public fear.[7][8]

When the "community quarantine" was applied to Luzon, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, said that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is equivalent to an "absolute lockdown or total lockdown."[9] Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also said that "enhanced community quarantine" should be considered as a "total lockdown."[10]

In addition, President Duterte advised local government units outside of the National Capital Region to implement a community quarantine in cases where, in a given level of local government, at least two COVID-19 cases are confirmed within a lower level of its jurisdiction; for example, a province-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different cities or municipalities in the same province, while a city/municipality-wide quarantine should be implemented if there are at least two COVID-19 cases confirmed within different barangays in the same city or municipality. Local government units were also authorized to utilize their quick response funds upon declaration of a state of emergency.[4]

The national government has given local government units under enhanced community quarantine in Visayas and Mindanao and relevant field offices of the Department of Health the power to lift or extend the lockdown period in their jurisdiction. The imposition of a "localized lockdown" involving measures at the barangay, sitio, and/or purok level instead of fully lifting ECQs has been proposed.[11]

On April 6, the following localities were under enhanced community quarantine: all regions of Luzon, Western Visayas, Caraga Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Samar, Biliran, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, and the municipality of Catarman in Northern Samar.[12]

On April 24, it was clarified that local government units can no longer impose quarantine measures without the consent of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). Prior to that period, localities could impose such measures with coordination with the DILG.[13] President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 112, extending enhanced community quarantine in select localities until May 15 and imposing a general community quarantine in the rest of the country, also overriding existing quarantine measures by local government units, starting May 1.[14]

Classification

Enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)
Shoppers falling in line outside a supermarket while observing social distancing.

Localities under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are generally ordered to stay at home, with its residents restricted from traveling to other cities or barangays. Barangay governments can issue quarantine passes allowing residents to buy essential goods outside curfew hours and within the issuing barangays's jurisdiction. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act also provides measures related to the ECQ, such as:[15]

  • Limitations on an all forms of transportation
  • Work suspensions and the setting up of alternative working arrangements such as teleworking.
  • Ensuring the supply of food and medical products
  • Measures against profiteering and hoarding of essential goods
  • Provision allowing a 30-day grace period for loan and rental payments during the quarantine period

General community quarantine (GCQ)
Police officers check a passing jeepney at a checkpoint in Bohol.

The general community quarantine (GCQ), which was introduced on May 1, is generally less stringent than ECQ. Public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 percent of their regular capacity depending on their industry. Shopping malls are also allowed to operate, although only select stalls and stores are allowed to open.[16]

A level under GCQ, is called a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Other measures

There are types of quarantine or lockdown measures aside from the ECQ and GCQ. Additional measures have been imposed under an "extensive enhanced community quarantine" or "extreme enhanced community quarantine" (EECQ). An EECQ is generally stricter than an ECQ. Prior to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, a more lenient measure, which includes a stay-at-home order and a curfew, was imposed in Metro Manila and was officially called a "community quarantine".[15]

A "total lockdown" measure, distinct from an ECQ, has been considered, which would prohibit people from leaving their places of residence and mandate the closure of all public establishments. According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, this measure is considered as an option.[17]

A "special concern lockdown" can be applied to only a portion of a barangay with a high concentration or clustering of active cases of COVID-19. It can be a road, a compound, or a block.

A classification of measures called "new normal", a level under MGCQ, was introduced sometime in June 2020, but has not yet been used. An area needs to be placed under MGCQ prior to the imposition of new normal measures.[18]

Implementation

Prior to May 1
See also: Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon covers the island of Luzon and its outlying islands, or eight out of seventeen regions of the Philippines. An indefinite enhanced community quarantine, was imposed in Caraga, alternatively known as One Shield Caraga, started on April 7,[19] and in the Davao Region[20] which took effect on April 4.[20]

Provinces that imposed an enhance community quarantine include Iloilo (March 21),[21] Antique (March 22),[22] Negros Occidental (March 30),[23] Cebu (March 30),[24] and Negros Oriental (April 3).[25]

The independent cities of Bacolod (March 30),[23] Iloilo City (March 21),[21] and Cebu City (March 28)[24] also imposed ECQ measures.

May

May 1–15

Enhanced community quarantines (ECQs) were extended in Metro Manila, Central Luzon (excluding Aurora), and Calabarzon regions as well as in the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo, Cebu, and the cities of Bacolod and Davao until May 15 as per President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 112. All other areas were placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) unless otherwise approved by the IATF-EID.[14] Albay and Zamboanga City were also included among local government units placed under ECQ.[26] The IATF-EID allows local government units, the imposition or extension of ECQ at a municipal or barangay level with the concurrence of their respective regional IATF-EID.[27]

The municipality of San Jose remained under ECQ while the rest of Occidental Mindoro downgraded to GCQ.[28] Marinduque[29] and Bacolod also remained under ECQ.[30]

Request to extend ECQs in the following areas were rejected by the IATF-EID: the provinces of Camarines Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, Isabela, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur, and the cities of Marawi and Butuan.[27]

May 16–31

On May 12, 2020, it was originally announced that community quarantine measures will be lifted in 41 provinces and 11 cities across the country due to their being low risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),[31] but were eventually upgraded to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) after receiving petitions from LGUs starting May 16.[32]

On May 15, 2020, the IATF-EID approved the appeal of Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla placing the city of Bacoor in the province of Cavite under modified enhanced community quarantine.

The IATF-EID issued Resolution No. 37, overriding prior plans, placing Metro Manila, the cities of Angeles and Bacoor, as well as the provinces of Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales under modified enhanced community quarantine, which is more lenient than an ECQ but stricter than a GCQ. Cebu City and Mandaue were placed under ECQ while the rest of the country was placed under GCQ. The measure became effective on May 16 with quarantine measures to be reassessed on May 31.[33]

June

June 1–15

The IATF-EID issued Resolution No. 41 to override prevailing quarantine measures in the country starting June 1. Measures in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Central Visayas regions transitioned to general community quarantine (GCQ). GCQ remained in Cagayan Valley, Pangasinan (except Dagupan), Zamboanga City and Davao City, while the rest of the country was placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).[34] However Marc Brian Lim, the city mayor of Dagupan suspended the implementation of GCQ measures in the city to MGCQ as directed by the IATF-EID. This followed Dagupan recording 14 additional COVID-19 cases on May 31, the day prior the city was supposed to transition to MGCQ. Lim appealed to the IATF-EID for the task force to allow his city to remain under GCQ.[35]

June 16–30

Due to the sudden increase number of community transmissions in the area, the IATF-EID recommended the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to Cebu City starting on June 16, the most stringent lockdown measure tier with the neighboring Talisay being reimposed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Meanwhile, GCQ was extended or reimposed in the areas of Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Occidental Mindoro, the rest of Central Visayas, Zamboanga City and Davao City.[36]

July

July 1–15

On June 23, the IATF-EID temporarily removed the "new normal" classification which meant that all areas in the country will still be under varying levels of community quarantine after the June 16–30 measures.[37]

The GCQ were either reimposed or extended to the provinces of Benguet, Cavite, Leyte (except Tacloban), Rizal, Southern Leyte, and several parts of Cebu. Only Cebu City remained under ECQ as the city confirms more cases.[38][39]

July 16–31

On July 15, quarantine measures continued to ease as Cebu City shifted to MECQ. Metro Manila remains under GCQ for another two weeks. Other areas under GCQ includes the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Basilan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Southern Leyte, as well as the cities of Butuan, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Ormoc, and Zamboanga. The rest of the country shifts to MGCQ.[40][41]

August

August 1–15

Quarantine measures for August 1 to 15 were decided on July 30 and was announced on July 31.[42] Cebu City's MECQ has finally been downgraded to GCQ. Other places that are still under GCQ includes: the Metro Manila, the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Zamboanga, and the municipalities of Consolacion and Minglanilla in Cebu. The rest of the country are still under MGCQ.[43]

On August 2, the IATF-EID responded to the appeal of 40 medical societies led by the Philippine College of Physicians to place Metro Manila under ECQ again due to rising COVID-19 cases.[44] The meeting later decided to place Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal back under MECQ from August 4 to 18.[45]

August 16–31

Summary
Areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) ()
Regional quarantines[lower-alpha 1]
Region[lower-alpha 2] Island group Start date[lower-alpha 3] Est. pop.[lower-alpha 4] Cases Deaths Recov.
Metro Manila Luzon March 17, 2020 13,600,000 85,615 1,140 37,519
Cordillera 1,800,000 526 7 179
Ilocos Region 5,200,000 788 22 264
Cagayan Valley 3,600,000 597 2 597
Central Luzon 12,100,000 4,802 64 1,599
Calabarzon 15,700,000 20,454 195 5,484
Mimaropa 3,100,000 459 6 185
Bicol 6,000,000 997 10 326
Western Visayas[12] Visayas – 7,800,000 2,648 30 1,010
Davao Region Mindanao April 2, 2020 5,200,000 1,701 53 1,020
Caraga April 7, 2020 2,700,000 326 2 133
Zamboanga Peninsula[12] – 3,800,000 1,083 29 573
Province-level quarantines
Province Region Start date Est. pop.[lower-alpha 4] Cases Deaths Recov.
Negros Oriental (inc. Bacolod) Central Visayas April 3, 2020 1,400,000 156 3 103
Bohol[47] March 16, 2020 1,400,000 236 6 109
Cebu (inc. Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu Lapu) March 28, 2020 5,000,000 17,601 827 13,050
Biliran[12] Eastern Visayas – 180,000 66 1 28
Samar[48] March 30, 2020 810,000 343 2 177
Camiguin[12] Northern Mindanao – 92,000 10 0 4
Bukidnon[49] April 13, 2020 1,500,000 102 0 43
Lanao del Norte (inc. Iligan)[50] March 20, 2020 1,000,000 275 3 97
Lanao del Sur[12] Bangsamoro – 1,100,000 217 3 120
Tawi-Tawi[51] March 18, 2020 400,000 10 0 0
Cotabato[12] Soccsksargen – 1,500,000 93 1 40
Sultan Kudarat[12] – 850,000 61 2 37
South Cotabato[12] – 1,600,000 93 0 43
Quarantine total[lower-alpha 5] ~95,800,000 153,660 2,442 71,405
Pandemic ongoing: Infection and fatality data as of August 14, 2020.[52]
For notes, see the Notes section.

Notes
  1. "–" denotes that no reliable or up-to-date data is currently available for that place, not that the value is zero.
  2. Region-wide ECQs. Provinces and independent cities outside these regions may have also been under ECQ.
  3. Start date of quarantine if ECQ measures were imposed throughout the region at once. The lifting of measures may vary by date and scope and measures may be re-imposed again. All quarantine measures overridden on May 1, 2020.
  4. Population estimate is by the Philippine Statistics Authority as of July 2019 based from projections made from the 2015 Census of Population.[46]
  5. Case data for the provinces listed above were not counted separately from their respective regions. These were only added for comparison purposes only.

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