Expository Essay by Pau

Ever since the pandemic started, different types of community quarantines were imposed by
the government to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19. Low-risk places were put in General
Community Quarantine(GCQ), and high-risk places were put in Enhanced Community Quarantine(ECQ).
But since cases lessened, most places were put into GCQ, including the high-risk areas.
What exactly is the difference between ECQ and GCQ? Should high-risk areas transition to GCQ,
or remain in ECQ until pandemic ends?
The main difference between these two community quarantines is that ECQ is has very strict
guidelines compared to GCQ. All civilians, excluding front liners, are not allowed to go outside unless
they run out of home supplies. Social gatherings are strictly prohibited and workplaces are either closed
or can only contain the most needed employees. Exercising outside is also not allowed. And there is no
public transport and flights (domestic or international) during ECQ.
Meanwhile during GCQ, some limitations are removed from the list. People with ages 15-65 are
allowed to go outside with face masks and face shields accompanying them. Gatherings are also now
allowed, but is only limited to 10 persons. Alternative work arrangements are established so employees
can go to their workplaces. And public transports and flights are opened, but they still have to follow
strict distancing.
Last February, Metro Manila was put into GCQ. According to Gita-Carlos (2021), the whole area
will remain under GCQ in March, as announced by the Malacanang. However, after a few weeks, the
COVID-19 cases surged, and had a number higher than last year’s. Different variants also appeared, like
the UK (B117), and South Africa (B1351). And according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario
Vergeire, these new variants were the main cause of the sudden increase of the cases, though non-
compliance to health protocols was still the root cause.
Magsambol (2021) stated that 7,000 cases were reported for four straight days, and even when
it eased down to 5,000, it was still higher than the average daily cases in the Philippines. DOH (2021)
then classified Metro Manila as high-risk, and some of the cities, including Marikina, Mandaluyong,
Caloocan, and six more were classified as critical.
And with the highest day count being recorded near the holy week, Duterte approved a 2-week
quarantine on Metro Manila, that will end at the 4th of April, 2021.
The COVID-19 cases ironically increased during the peak of the pandemic, which was when
protocols were not as strict as before. But since vaccines are now present and can be purchased, the risk
of having more death counts will lessen, though the country’s budget for them is still causing some
trouble. Amidst that, recoveries are now keeping up with the number of cases.
Though the country is now standing up again, community quarantine, most likely, still won’t be
removed in all areas of the country. Enhanced Community Quarantine however, surely will not be
implemented by the government in any place. These programs are still being conducted to help prevent
the virus from spreading, but it probably can’t shut the virus completely. The vaccines will stop the
pandemic. And once everybody gets a shot, the isolations will probably end.
However, during the remaining time when vaccines aren’t distributed completely, everybody
should follow the health protocols to prevent any more spreading.
References:
 Duterte approves 2-week GCQ for M. Manila, nearby provinces with add'l restrictions. (2021,
March 21). ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/21/21/duterte-approves-2-week-
gcq-for-m-manila-nearby-provinces-with-addl-restrictions
 Philippines: Authorities extend community quarantine restrictions in most part of the country
through April 30. (2021, March 31). Garda. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-
alerts/461771/philippines-authorities-extend-community-quarantine-restrictions-in-most-part-of-
the-country-through-april-30-update-61
 Gotinga, J. (2020, May 19). ECQ, MCQ, GCQ, MGCQ: Who can go where?. Rappler.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/explainer-movement-areas-under-community-
quarantine-coronavirus
 Transition from ECQ to GCQ. (n.d). https://www.jetro.go.jp/newsletter/orf/2020/news/ph051801
 Merez, A. (2020, April 28). What’s difference between the enhanced quarantine and general
quarantine?. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/28/20/whats-the-difference-
between-the-enhanced-quarantine-and-general-quarantine
 Tan, L. (2020, April 30). Gov’t finalizes rules for areas under enhanced, general community
quarantine. CNN Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/4/30/Philippines-ECQ-
GCQ-lockdown-quarantine-guidelines-COVID-19.html
 Magsambol, B. (2021, March 24). Metro Manila cities at ‘high critical risk’ due to surge of COVID-
19 cases. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/doh-report-metro-manila-cities-high-critical-
risk-covid-19-cases-march-24-2021
 Gita-Carlos, R. A. (2021, February 27). Metro Manila stays under GCQ in March. Philippine News
Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1132018

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Ever since the pandemic started, different types of community quarantines were imposed by

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