Who can go out of their house during the enhanced community quarantine

As the government moves to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Palace announced on Monday that a strict home quarantine will be enforced by uniformed personnel as part of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon that will take effect at midnight.

At a press briefing in Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the public will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential travel such as purchasing basic necessities.

“May isang tao sa bawat household ang puwedeng bumili at umuwi para malimitahan lang natin ang labas-pasok,” he said.

Nograles added that private cars may be used provided that the trip is only for essential purposes.

The provision of food and essential health services will also be regulated, while uniformed personnel will heighten their presence to enforce the quarantine.

“Dapat ang tao nagse-stay at home. Kaya nga [may] delivery para nasa bahay lang talaga ‘yong tao,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Only private establishments providing basic necessities will be allowed to remain open during the enhanced community quarantine of Luzon. Workers for such establishments will be allowed to go out, but public transportation is not available.

Media workers will also be allowed to go out of their houses, but will need to secure accreditation from the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Banks and other money services will be allowed to continue operations.

Nograles also said that economic managers are yet to discuss the deadline for tax payments with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

"We will make the pronouncement when the time comes,” he said.

Mass gatherings will continue to be prohibited while classes are still suspended until April 14, 2020.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development was also ordered to expedite the distribution of food assistance to residents in Luzon who will be most affected by the quarantine.

The strict home quarantine, among the other guidelines announced by Malacañang, will take effect from 12 a.m. of March 17 to 12 a.m. of April 13. —LDF, GMA News