Salceda warns of people moving from ECQ to GCQ areas

People in areas that have been downgraded into general community quarantine (GCQ) should not be complacent about COVID-19 as the risk of infection continues to be a threat, a lawmaker warned on Friday.

At the same time, Albay Representative Joey Salceda said that authorities should be on the lookout for people who will move to GCQ communities to evade the rigid measures of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Salceda, former governor and economic adviser, stressed that "minimum health standards" should be observed as prerequisites for any adjustment in policy between ECQ and GCQ.

“There are three issues that we need to manage: One, people being overconfident, thinking GCQ means less risk for them. Two, confusion in checkpoints between ECQ and GCQ provinces, especially since the policies will alternate in certain routes, like the Manila to Bicol route. That will pose issues for the supply of essential goods. Three, people stealthily moving to GCQ areas so they can have it easier," he said in a news release.

"All three would be dangerous for health and economic outcomes, so it’s essential that we recognize them before they happen and proactively address them,” he added.

Salceda, current chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee and Economic Stimulus Cluster co-chair said he earlier submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases several proposals to help guide the transition from the all-Luzon enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to risk-based ECQ with some areas downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ).

He pointed out that thee could be "leakages" between GCQ and ECQ areas as the nation continues to battle COVID-19.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte extended the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and CALABARZON until May 15 to curb the spread of the virus.

Regions, provinces or areas which are considered moderate- and low-risk in the spread of COVID-19 will be placed under a general community quarantine, where some economic activities will be allowed.

Recommendations                                                                                                                                                                       
Salceda’s letter to the President also includes recommendations to address the three issues cited.

“Communications efforts by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases must be directed towards ensuring that the public still takes as much personal caution and observes as many of the best practices as would be accessible to them,” he said.

He also said that "the administration of checkpoints is clarified and streamlined; the whole breadth and scope of the supply chain for essential goods is defined and protocolized with openness to amendment; and, transit between GCQ and ECQ areas is unhampered.”

“The national task force (NTF) implementing the quarantine restrictions must secure ECQ-to-GCQ transit, and ensure that it remains limited to essential travel and transport of necessary goods and their components," he said.

"Leakages, especially of persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) from ECQs and seeking less stringent quarantine regimes, may cause new outbreaks,” Salceda added.

Reopening industries

Salceda also recommended a decision test for reopening industries.

“Where a coincidence of necessity, increased or sustained demand, and worker protection exists, the industry should be reopened," he said.

These industries include agriculture, food retail and manufacturing, logistics, water and energy, and telecommunications and media.

"Where consumer demand will not be sufficient to support full operation, it may be unnecessary (and counterproductive) to consider a full opening of the industry,” he said.

The lawmaker emphasized  two principal economic considerations on decisions between GCQ and ECQ: What share of the labor force can be allowed to perform their normal functions, and what share of the consumer will have the income and the confidence to resume normal or near-normal consumption patterns.

“In simple terms po, pag walang bibili, wag nang buksan ang negosyo. Kailangan may bibili, may pangangailangan, at may proteksyon sa manggagawa. Kapag hindi po pasado sa tatlong ito, pag-isipan muna kung bubuksan.” Salceda said. —LDF, GMA News