Quezon City gov't issues localized guidelines for MECQ

On Saturday, the Quezon City government issued a memorandum prescribing localized guidelines for the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine which came into effect earlier in the day.

According to Mayor Joy Belmonte's  memorandum, the guidelines were localized strategies and initiatives to help stop the spread of the COVID-19, while at the same time helping citizens adjust to the new normal and restart the city’s economy.

Among the guidelines was the continued implementation of the Special Concern Lockdown Areas. Under this policy select areas with high COVID-19 cases or with a high probability of the novel coronavirus spreading would be placed under strict containment.

The city would also require businesses with 10 or more employees to submit to the City Health Department their program for COVID-19 employee testing, at the establishment's expense.

While no public transportation was allowed, with one exception, the city permitted establishments that were allowed to operate under the MECQ to provide point-to-point private transport services or shuttles, including the hiring of public utility buses, public utility jeepneys, or high occupancy vehicles, for the exclusive use of their employees.

The local government would meanwhile allow tricycles to operate but under strict health and safety conditions and in adherence to the route indicated in their franchise.

Belmonte furthermore encouraged all drivers concerned to submit themselves for COVID-19 checking in one of the city’s community-based centers.

The city government also planned to expand its current “Libreng Sakay” bus services to accommodate residents traveling to and from permitted establishments.

In an effort to encourage local residents to use bicycles as a mode of last-mile transport, Belmonte encouraged barangays to provide free bicycle parking spaces.

The directive also mandated that all establishments in Quezon City assign a Health and Safety Officer  to ensure that these guidelines were strictly implemented, in addition to compliance with the usual occupational health and safety standards and regulations.

As earlier directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, businesses like manufacturers of food, water, and non-alcoholic beverage and medical and hygiene products, hospitals and clinics, essential retailers such as supermarkets, grocery stores, markets, water refilling stations and drugstores could now fully operate under the MECQ.

“This is subject to compliance with thermal scanning, social distancing, hand washing, use of face masks, testing program and other applicable health measures,” said Belmonte.

The local government also allowed other businesses to operate with up to 50 percent of their workforce on-site, including general manufacturing, office administration and support services.

The city also announced that, this weekend, it would be releasing detailed guidelines to guide each sector, such as the business sector, construction, waste management, environment, law and order, transport sector, to avoid confusion and grey areas.

The city government also warned that those who would violate the guidelines could face charges of violation of Sec. 9 of Republic Act No. 11332, which penalizes non-cooperation of person or entities affected by a health event of public concern and/or 151 of the Revised Penal Code or Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority. — DVM, GMA News