DTI eyes nationwide MGCQ by end of Q1 amid COVID-19 variant concerns

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believes it is achievable for all local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines to transition to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) within the first quarter of the year, though this may be postponed by a month or a few weeks.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the shift is 'very much doable,' but recent decisions have involved extra caution due to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, influencing age restrictions and potential movements to MGCQ.

The government's goal is to relax quarantine restrictions to the lowest level nationwide during the first quarter of 2021, with Lopez noting that a downward trend in cases will lead to deescalation of quarantine measures.

MGCQ, the most relaxed quarantine status, permits most businesses to operate at full capacity and allows mass gatherings at 50 percent venue capacity.

However, Metro Manila and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are set to remain under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for the entire month of February.

Additionally, Batangas, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Iligan City will also be under GCQ.

The rest of the country, excluding the aforementioned areas, will be placed under MGCQ.

Lopez emphasized that the government is carefully considering the transition to MGCQ while navigating the risks posed by the new COVID-19 variants.