What shops will remain open during enhanced community quarantine

Only private establishments providing basic necessities will be allowed to remain open during the enhanced community quarantine of Luzon, the Palace said Monday.

At a press briefing in Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that only the following establishments will be permitted to remain open:

• Public markets
• Supermarkets
• Groceries
• Convenience stores
• Hospitals
• Medical clinics
• Pharmacies and drug stores
• Food preparation and delivery services
• Water-refilling stations
• Manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products and medicines
• Banks
• Money transfer services
• Power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies and facilities

“In all such open establishments, their respective managements shall ensure the adoption of a strict skeletal workforce to support operations, as well as all strict social distancing measures,” the memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary read.

Transit to and from the said establishments will be allowed.

“‘Yung basic necessities… those will continue to operate, so therefore you may go to them. If there’s not public transportation then private [vehicle] or you’ll have to walk,” Nograles said.

Business Process Outsourcing establishments and export-oriented industries will likewise remain operational but must enforce social distancing measures.

Employers in these industries were also ordered to provide temporary accommodation for their workers by Thursday, March 18.

The enhanced community quarantine will be in effect over the entire Luzon from 12 a.m. of March 17 to 12 a.m. of April 13. —LDF, GMA News