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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
**MANILA **PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte, acting on recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Infectious Communicable Diseases, extended the lockdown, also known as Enhanced Community Quarantine from April 30 to May 15. The areas covered by the extended lockdown are the country’s top three most populous regions according to the government’s Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2015 national census, the National Capital Region (12,877,253), Region III or Central Luzon (11,218,177) and Region IV-A also known as CALABARZON (14,414,774).
Most Special Economic Zones are situated in the three regions.
Other areas considered high-risk included provinces in the provinces of Pangasinan, Benguet, Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, Albay and Catanduanes. The same quarantine measures will also be in place in Antique, Iloilo, Cebu and Cebu City, Aklan and Capiz until May 15.
Widely popular Boracay Island is in Aklan province while the famed Mayon Volcano is in the heart of Albay Province.
Areas considered moderate and low-risk are under general community quarantine where workers will be allowed to work or operate in phases with the general population can go out of their homes to buy their basic necessities, and those before 21 and above 60 years old and residing with comorbidities will have to stay home. Non-leisure stores in malls and shopping centers may partially open.
Higher education institutions may continue classes according to their academic year and issue credentials to students in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Commission on Higher Education as public transportation may operate at a reduced capacity depending on issuances from the Department of Transportation. Airports and seaports may operate to assure unhampered movement of goods.
Local government units will enforce curfew at night for non-workers.
It will be recalled President Duterte issued the Enhanced Community Quarantine last March 16 which should have lasted until April 30 but was extended to April 30. Based on recommendations of the IATF-EID and medical experts, President Duterte opted to continue the lockdown until May 15.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
