The Code Alert System for the COVID-19 public health event is raised to Code Red Sublevel Two (2), according to President Rodrigo Duterte's public address on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) last night, as follows:
The Code Alert System for the COVID-19 public health event is hereby raised to Code Red Sublevel Two (2).
Community quarantine is hereby imposed in the [entirety] of Metro Manila and in other --- in other areas the LGUs are advised to abide by the following guidelines imposing localized community quarantine in their respective jurisdictions.
For Manila, may… Ayaw namin gamitin ‘yan pero --- kasi takot kayo sabihin “lockdown”. And a --- but it’s a LOCKDOWN! - Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
The Metro Manila lockdown, which will be in effect beginning March 15, 2020, is the government's initiative to urge people to stay home and avoid social contact, which may be the only way to avoid spreading the Coronavirus COVID-19 disease. As of this writing, there have been 52 confirmed cases of the disease in the Philippines. Out of the 52 cases, five deaths were recorded.
What the Metro Manila lockdown actually means
The lockdown order restricts travel in and out of Metro Manila starting March 15, 2020, prohibiting any movement unless necessary for work. Anyone trying to travel into Metro Manila for purposes of work will be required to present his company identification card to the authorities at military and police checkpoints on the highways. Meanwhile, the number coding scheme in Metro Manila is suspended and will stay until further notice. The coding suspension will cover both public and private vehicles.
All schools throughout Metro Manila will remain suspended until at least April 12, 2020. The local government units outside of the National Capital Region are advised to exercise sound discretion in suspending classes in their respective localities without prejudice to a determination by the national government to suspend classes if the situation so warrants.
All government agencies under the executive department (like the Department of Education, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, among others) will also be suspended during this period, without prejudice to the formation of skeletal workforces by these agencies in order to maintain the unimpeded delivery of services to the public.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry shall issue guidelines to safeguard the welfare of workers within the private sector. Flexible work arrangement, like via online and work-at-home system, shall be encouraged in the private sector.
All manufacturing, retail, and service establishments are advised to remain in operation during said period. Provided, that strict social distancing measures are required to be observed by their respective managements.
Mass gatherings, defined as a planned or spontaneous event where the number of people attending could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event, shall be prohibited during said period.
Mass public transports including the Light Rail Transits, the Metro Rail Transit, and the Philippine National Railways shall continue in operation. Provided, that the Department of Transportation shall issue guidelines to ensure social distancing in said public transports, based on what the Health department orders.
Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended beginning March 15, 2020 and to end on April 14, 2020, subject to the daily review by the Inter-Agency Task Force (if there's a slowdown in the contagion of COVID-19).
The Balik-manggagawa Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) shall be allowed to travel to mainland China, except to Hubei Province, upon execution of a Declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.
The entry travel restrictions shall be imposed upon those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visa, and holders of Diplomatic Visas issued by the Philippine Government.
The recommendations of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group on imposing Stringent Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region are adopted for a period of thirty (30) days from the issuance of President Duterte's order.
The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be called upon to ensure effective and orderly implementation of the above measures.
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Image from Project Box
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