Modified GCQ seen to ease restrictions on more industries— including entertainment, says official
Published May 24, 2020 1:52:48 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24)— More industries are seen to gradually reopen once parts of the country finally transition into a “modified” general community quarantine, a senior government official said Sunday.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the modified GCQ will see further easing of restrictions in several other industries— including possibly parts of the entertainment sector.
“Sa modified GCQ, marami na tayong papayagan ‘don. Pati ‘yung ibang mga entertainment industries ay maaring payagan na rin dito sa modified GCQ,” Año said in an interview with Newsroom Weekend.
[Translation: In the modified GCQ, we will allow many sectors to operate there. Even some entertainment industries may be allowed in the modified GCQ.]
Año, however, did not specify which entertainment sectors may be allowed to operate.
Leisure or non-essential services have been shut down since most parts of the country were placed under enhanced community quarantine in March.
To date, only Metro Manila and other high-risk COVID-19 areas follow the modified ECQ protocols, while other provinces have shifted to GCQ, in an effort to gradually reopen the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Año, for his part, said there’s a possibility that these areas may soon transition to more relaxed quarantine measures. However, he reiterated that once the country undergoes the “new normal” phase, citizens would still have to follow health protocols.
“At siyempre pagdating natin ng tinatawag na new normal, ‘yun talaga ang medyo maluwag na except ‘yung talagang minimum health standards dapat ay ipatutupad,” he noted.
[Translation: Of course, when we get to the new normal, that’s when we really will be having relaxed measures. Except of course the minimum health standards will still need to be enforced.]
As of the Health Department’s latest record, the Philippines has logged over 13,000 cases of the viral disease.
