Definition of Terms

• WHEREAS, on 8 March 2020, the President, declared a State of Public Health Emergency through Proclamation No. 922 due to Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);

• WHEREAS, on 16 March 2020, the President imposed an enhanced community quarantine (ECO) in Luzon starting from 17 March 2020 until 13 April 2020 to halt the further spread of COVID-19;

• WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in Resolution No. 28 dated 23 April 2020, Resolution Mo. 29 dated 27 April 2020 and in Resolution No. 30 dated 29 April 2020, recommended the extension or imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in certain regions, provinces, and areas;

• WHEREAS, in the same Resolutions, the IATF recommended the implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1, 2020 for low-risk or moderate-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas; Provided, that as a precondition, minimum health standards as defined by the Department of Health (DOH) are achieved and continually observed;

• WHEREAS, the Department at Health (DQH) issued Administrative Order No. 2020-0015 dated 27 April 2020 or the “Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation” and the DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued the Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19;

• WHEREAS, the IATF issued the Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine dated 29 April 2020, as amended by IATF Resolution No. 30-A dated 01 May 2020, to harmonize and codify existing polices of the IATF and member-agencies pertaining to community quarantine, which shall be applied to all regions, provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays placed under community quarantine ;

• WHEREAS, under the Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine, DTI was mandated to determine the business activities falling under Category I, II, III, and IV Industries according to the definition of the IATF;

• WHEREAS, the Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine, as recommended under IATF Resolution No. 30 dated 29 April 2020, was confirmed and adopted by the President under Executive Order No. 112 s. 2020 dated 30 April 2020

• WHEREFORE, foregoing premises considered, the following are hereby prescribed and provided:

Section 1. Scope

These guidelines shall apply nationwide to business activities allowed to operate in areas declared under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ)

Unhampered Movement of Cargo.

The movement of all types of cargoes by land, air, or sea within and across areas placed under KCQ or GCQ shall be unhampered. Workers in the logistics sector. such as cargo, mucking, and port operations shall likewise be allowed to transit across areas placed under ECQ or GCQ. All Local Government Units (LGUs) are directed to strictly abide by this national policy, provided that, only a maximum of five (5) personnel may operate cargo and delivery vehicles by land, with or without load.

LGUs and local health units (LHUs) are hereby enjoined not to issue orders contrary to or inconsistent with said directive, such as, but not limited to, requiring asymptomatic drivers and crew of cargo or service delivery vehicles to undergo mandatory fourteen (14)-day home quarantine. Provided further, that strict social distancing measures must be strictly observed, which may include, if necessary, the putting up of additional safe and humane seats or space in the vehicles. Finally, the PNP retains its authority to conduct inspection procedures in checkpoints for the purpose of ensuring that protocols on strict home quarantine are observed.

Section 3. Category I-IV Business Establishments or Activities.

Annexed to this Circular is the list of business establishments or activities under Category I- IV, both for allowed and not allowed, according to the categorization provided under the Omnibus Guidelines, as confirmed and adopted by Executive Order No. 112 s. 2020.

No presumption shall arise as to the exclusivity or inclusivity of the enumeration of business establishments or activities annexed in this Circular. Time Department may update the annexed list to add or limit the coverage of business activities and establishments under them as the need arises.

Section 4. Movement of Workers

The movement of workers of business establishments or activities under Category I-III are allowed subject to the operational capacity limits set by the IATF and presentation in quarantine control points of company ID or certificate of employment or any identification requirements that the IATF may issue. IATF ID or Rapid Pass shall not be required. Due to limited operation (at a reduced capacity) of public transportation and to further limit people movement, business establishments are encouraged to provide shuttle services to their employees.

Section 5. Employees or Workers classified as Authorized Persons Outside of Residences (APOR).

The following employees or workers shall be allowed to be outside of their residences, provided that, it is for the purpose of reporting to work in permitted industries and offices under Section 3 and 4 or to obtain essential goods.

• those with ages below 21 years old;

• those 60 years old and above;

• those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities or other health risk;

• pregnant women; and

• any person who resides with the aforementioned

Section 6. Compliance with Required Public Health Standards.

Except as otherwise provided in this Circular or in later issuances, business activities and establishments allowed to operate shall strictly implement the required public health standards prescribed by the DOH for offices/workplaces under Administrative Order No. 2020-0015 s. 2020 dated 27 April 2020 and those defined under DTI-DOLE Joint Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19.

Business establishments are also directed to report or notify public health authorities of employees and/or staff who show signs or symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19). Further, in cases that their employees and/or staff have been exposed to COVID-19, the business establishment must implement contact tracing in coordination with the DOH and the LCU concerned.

Section 7. Separability Clause

If for any reason, any part or provision of this Circular be declared invalid, any part or provision not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Effectivity

This Circular shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and shall remain in effect until the state of public health emergency is lifted.

Establishments Allowed to Operate According to Quarantine Status:

Industries and Establishments Allowed to Operate Under GCQ (General Community Quarantine)

Category 1 Industries (Can Operate at Full Operational Capacity)

• Agriculture

• Fishery

• Forestry industries

• Food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses

• Food retail establishments including:

• Supermarkets

• Grocery Stores

• Food preparation establishments insofar as take-out and delivery services

• Food delivery services

• Health-related Establishments

• The Logistics Sector

• Information Technology and Telecommunication Companies

• The Media

Category 2 Industries (Can Operate from 50% to Full Operational Capacity with WFH Options)

• Mining Companies

• Manufacturing Companies

• Export-oriented Companies

• E-Commerce Companies

• Delivery Services

• Repair and/or Maintenance Services

• Housing Serivices

• Office Services

Category 3 Industries (Can Operate only at 50% Capacity with WFH Options)

• Financial Services

• BPOs

• Legal Services

• Accounting Services

• Auditing Services

• Professional Scientific Services

• Technical Serivices

• Other Non-Leisure Services

• Other Non-Leisure Wholesale and Retail Establishments

Others (Malls, Construction Projects, Leisure & Fitness Establishments, Hotels, etc.)

Under the GCQ, malls and shopping centers may open, except for leisure establishments

Such establishments and services allowed to operate in malls and shopping centers may only operate at a limited capacity

Persons with ages below 21 years old, and those 60 years old and above may not enter malls, except when obtaining essential goods and services.

The DTI may issue guidelines to limit foot traffic in such establishments

Construction projects allowed during the GCQ in accordance wit hthe guidelines issued by the DPWH

Essential public and private construction projects, such as but not limited to:

• Sewerage

• Water services facilities

• Digital works

• Health facilities

• Priority projects

Amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments, as well as those in the kids and the tourism industries may not operate during the GCQ.

No hotels or similar establishments shall be allowed to operate, except those accommodating the following:

• For areas outside Luzon, guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of May 1, 2020

• Guests who have existing long-term bookings

• Distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals

• Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine protocols

• Non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine; and

• Healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under these Omnibus Guidelines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary

Provided that in all the foregoing, hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic lodging to guests.

*Specific industries under each category are reflected in a separate document issued by the DTI.

Industries and Establishments Allowed To Operate Under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine)

Select Manufecturing and Processing Plants

• Basic food products

• Medicine and vitamins, medical supplies, devices, and equipment

• Essential products (e.g. soap and detergents, diapers, hygiene products, and disinfectants)

Provided, that such establishments may operate at a maximum of 50% of their respective workforces.

Unless, the DTI approves the temporary increase of workforce capacity

Manufacturers of medicine, medical supplies, devices, and equipment are allowed to operate at full capacity.

Delivery Services Tranporting Essential Goods

• Food

• Medicine

• Essential goods

• Clothing

• Accessories

• Hardware

• Housewares

• School and office supplies

• Pet food and other veterinary products

Capital Markets (Not Limted To The Following)

• The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

• The Securities and Exchange Commission

• Philippine Stock Exchange

• Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation

• Philippine Securities Settlement Corporation

• Philippine Depository and Trust Corporation

Energy Companies, their Third-party Contractors and Service Providers, Including Employees Involved In The Following

• Electric transmission and distribution

• Electric power plant and line maintenance

• Electricity market and retail suppliers

• Exploration, operations, trading and delivery of coal, oil, and crude or petroleum to produce electricity

Telecommunications Companies, Internet Service Providers, Cable Television Providers

• Technical, sales, and other support personnel

• Employees of third-party contractors doing sales, installation, maintenance, and repair works.

Airline and Aircraft Maintenance Employees

• Pilots and crew

• Ship captains and crew

Media Establishments

At a maximum operational capacity of 50% of their total permanent staff complement as registered under the DOLE, inclusive of reporters and other field employees, as accredited by the PCOO.

Construction Workers Accredited by the DPWH only on Select Projects

• Quarantine and isolation facilities

• Health facilities

• Emergency works

• Flood control

• Other disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation works

Workers Accredited by DOTr only on Select Projects

• Utility relocation works

• Specified limited work across 13 railway projects

• Replacement works for the MRT Line 3

Provided, that on-site or near-site accommodations and/or point-to-point shuttle services should be arranged if applicable

Funeral and Embalming Services

Provided, that they provide shuttling services and/or housing accommodations for their personnel and staff.

Humanitarian Assistance

• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

• Non-Government Organization (NGOs)

• United Nationsl - Humanitarian Country Teams

Provided, that they are authorized by the appropriate government agency or LGU.

Others

• Manufacturing companies and suppliers of construction equipement or products

• Power

• Energy

• Water

• Information Technology

• Telecommunications Supplies

• Facilities

• Waste Disposal Services

• Property Management

• Building Utility Services