Luzon Now under ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’

PH gov memorandum

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, March 16, released a new set of guidelines to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Titled ‘enhanced community quarantine,’ the new method seeks to implement tougher restrictions and expand the supposed ‘Metro Manila lockdown’ to the entire island of Luzon, where an estimated 57 million people reside.

Under the new memorandum signed by Malacañang, the ‘enhanced community quarantine’ calls for the “strict” home quarantine in all households, suspension transportation, regulation food and essential health services, and heightening of uniformed personnel’s presence to enforce quarantine procedures.

The new measure takes effect from 12:00 am of March 17, 2020 until 12:00 am of April 13, 2020.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo bared the news, explaining that people should refrain from travel unless for “medical and humanitarian reasons.”

Salvador Panelo

The Department of Transportation provides a more detailed view of the plan in a recent Facebook post. Below are the eight points of ‘enhanced community quarantine’ enumerated.

  1. MRT-3, LRT-1, LRT-2, and PNR shall suspend its operations;
  2. Operations of land transport modes such as public utility buses, jeepneys, taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), FX, UV Express, Point-to-Point (P2P) buses, and Motorcycle Taxis shall be suspended;
  3. The DOTr aviation sector shall let foreigners depart (outbound) from the Philippines within 72 hours upon the effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine;
  4. Airport operation shall be limited to outgoing flights carrying foreigners and tourists. Filipinos are not allowed to go outside the country;
  5. Inbound flights will only be for repatriating Filipinos;
  6. Land, air and sea travel of uniformed personnel for official business, especially those transporting medical supplies, laboratory specimens related to the COVID-19, and other humanitarian assistance, shall be allowed;
  7. Only 1 (one) person per household is allowed to go outside their homes to buy basic necessities. Use of private vehicles for this purpose shall be allowed; and
  8. Media vehicles and reporters shall be allowed to travel within the community quarantine area, provided that they secure a special media pass from the PCOO.

Panelo adds that the lockdown does not mean that the entry of food and other supplies will be halted.

Hindi natin hihintuin ang pagpasok ng food supply kasi mahalaga ‘yun e and most likely siguro hindi dapat saraduhan ang mga grocery, ang palengke.” Panelo said.

Sunday, March 15, marked the beginning of the month-long ‘lockdown’ implemented by the Philippine Government to curb the spread of the dreaded disease from China.

 

Also Read:

Tugade, Other Cabinet Members Negative for Covid-19

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Ford PH: no price increase for Ranger as of Jul. 2025
    Ford PH: no price increase for Ranger as of Jul. 2025
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • MG Motor PH to launch D90 early next year
    MG Motor PH to launch D90 early next year
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • BYD Cars PH launches limited-run Seagull in Seashell Pink hue
    BYD Cars PH launches limited-run Seagull in Seashell Pink hue
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Mazda PH launches driver development program
    Mazda PH launches driver development program
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Honda Cars PH extends ‘Style Up & Drive Promo’ with special deals for City, City Hatchback, BR-V
    Honda Cars PH extends ‘Style Up & Drive Promo’ with special deals for City, City Hatchback, BR-V
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
    Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Suzuki Dzire Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV CVT vs BYD Seal: new-energy sedan showdown
    Suzuki Dzire Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV CVT vs BYD Seal: new-energy sedan showdown
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • 3 reasons why customers choose Toyotas
    3 reasons why customers choose Toyotas
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 03, 2025
  • Zigwheels PH Wrapup: Local vehicle launches in H1 2025
    Zigwheels PH Wrapup: Local vehicle launches in H1 2025
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 02, 2025
  • Let’s inspect the Omoda E5’s interior
    Let’s inspect the Omoda E5’s interior
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 02, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
  • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025
  • ELECTRIA: 2025 BYD Atto 3 - updates done right
    ELECTRIA: 2025 BYD Atto 3 - updates done right
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 05, 2025
  • Dongfeng Nammi: Stylish all-rounder
    Dongfeng Nammi: Stylish all-rounder
    Cesar Miguel . May 21, 2025