The Philippines eyes for a new normal or an MGCQ transition nationwide and mass vaccination in the first quarter of 2021. The Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) will be the lowest restriction level since the start of lockdown (Enhanced Community Quarantine) on March 17, 2020. The Department of Health (DOH) undersecretary, Maria Rosario Vergeire said that under new normal the public must still adhere to minimum health protocols to reduce infection and that government units may implement relaxed rules if they succeed in contact tracing system and surveillance.

Currently,  most of the provinces and cities are under MGCQ while the following areas are under GCQ until November 30, 2020.

• Bacolod City
• Batangas
• Iligan City
• Iloilo City
• Lanao del Sur
• National Capital Region
• Tacloban City

The government stated that restriction levels are subject to appeal and review of local government units (LGUs).

Understanding MGCQ

Under the Modified General Community Quarantine, the following comprise the new normal:

• Employment: Everyone works at 100% full capacity in most industries while still wearing facemasks and following social distancing. Dine-in restaurants, personal care, salons and barbershops will operate at 50% capacity.
• Education: Classes may continue at full capacity that means face to face teaching and learning.
• Mass gathering: Public gatherings such as concerts, parties etc are allowed but limited to 50% capacity.
• Recreation and Sports: Limited to non-contact sports such as biking, golf, jogging, walking, golf, tennis, walking - at 50% capacity.
• Transportation: Aviation, maritime, rail and road transports operate under guidelines set by the Department of Transportation. Still under the 1-meter physical distancing rule. 

Vaccination plan

Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said that the government plans to procure 24 million vaccines by the first quarter of 2021 (January 1-March 31) and start vaccination by May 2021 if everything goes as planned. He added that if roadblocks happen the program may be shifted at the end of 2021. 

The inoculation refers to injecting an antigen or pathogen to a person or animal to induce the antibodies production. He also noted that it’s important to look into supply and demand as big countries need more of those vaccines. And based on the World Bank presentation, only 1.4 billion vaccines will be produced before the end of 2020.

Covid update

Philippines is among the countries with a growing number of cases and deaths since its provinces and cities began to ease restrictions after the March and April ECQ, although the country managed to drop the daily virus cases by 25% last October.

As of November 6, 2020, the cases include 389,725 total, 7,049 deaths and 32,773 active.

References:

1. Casas, Willie. “'Vaccines in May If Plans Hold'.” Manila Standard, Manila Standard, 6 Nov. 2020, 1:00 am, manilastandard.net/news/national/338799/-vaccines-in-may-if-plans-hold-.html. 
2. Kabiling, Genalyn. “NCR, Six Other Places under GCQ till Nov. 30.” Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin, 27 Oct. 2020, mb.com.ph/2020/10/27/ncr-six-other-places-under-gcq-till-nov-30/.
3. RITA, JOVILAND. “Duterte Places NCR, 6 More Areas under GCQ from November 1 to 30.” GMA News Online, GMA, 27 Oct. 2020, www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/761538/duterte-places-ncr-6-more-areas-under-gcq-from-november-1-to-30/story/. 
4. Valente, Catherine S. S. “Govt Eyes Shift of Entire PH to MGCQ by Early 2021.” Manilatimes.net, The Manila Times, 3 Nov. 2020, www.manilatimes.net/2020/11/03/news/latest-stories/govt-eyes-shift-of-entire-ph-to-mgcq-by-early-2021/791077/.
5. Aspinwall, Nick. “Philippines Reports Slight Downturn in COVID-19 Cases.” The Diplomat, Diplomat Media Inc, 8 Oct. 2020, thediplomat.com/2020/10/philippines-reports-slight-downturn-in-covid-19-cases/.