DOH exec: Residents of low risk MGCQ areas still required to stay home save for essential purpose

Residents in low risk modified general community areas should not go out of their homes  for non-essential purposes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday.

Vergeire issued the warning after President Rodrigo Duterte placed the rest of the country under low risk MGCQ protocol except for at least 28 areas.

“Kahit anong level po ng community quarantine, basic prinsipyo pa rin po ang ipinatutupad. Kung non-essential po ang gagawin outside your home, huwag ka lumabas,” Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.

The government has considered buying food and medicines, as well as going to work, as essential activity in low risk MGCQ, MGCQ and GCQ areas.

Vergeire then said that for essential activities, residents of low risk MGCQ areas should still wear a mask and observe physical distancing.

“Kailangan po natin i-enforce ang minimum health standards para wala pong magkasakit as we ease out the restrictions,” Vergeire added.

Under GCQ protocol, 75% of the workforce per company/office are allowed to physically report to work. Likewise, GCQ guidelines allow 10 to 50% of mass transport.

The Philippines has registered 37,514 COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 10,233 recovered. On the other hand, 1,266 died. — RSJ, GMA News