Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or a Luzon-wide lockdown, which started on March 15, 2020. The lockdown has been extended until May 15 in some areas.
What the Lockdown Looks Like for Your Staff
Philippine residents cannot freely move around to do their shopping or go out and exercise. Only one family member is given permission by the authorities to leave the house for basic necessities, once a day. Nobody can leave their house even during emergencies.
Here are some daily challenges our staff have advised us of:
Government Support During Lockdown
Many are losing their jobs or have had their hours reduced as an impact of the coronavirus. Without an income, they have no other means to support themselves or their family. There are government initiatives in place to support those who have lost their jobs or unable to pay their rent. However, the support either takes too long to arrive or is just not enough.
Our staff gave us an account of their experiences regarding this:
A Closer Look at the Struggles of a Remote Worker During the Lockdown
Meet Marck, the current SEO Specialist for Remote Staff. He has been working remotely for five years, but this did not help prepare him for the heavy impact of the lockdown.
In an interview, Marck relates his experiences during the lockdown, how he copes with being quarantined, and how his client helps him during this difficult time. Watch the full video below.
To learn more about ECQ in the Philippines, go to: https://www.remotestaff.ph/blog/life-under-ecq-what-challenges-does-the-average-filipino-remote-worker-face-today/
COVID-19 has truly changed the lives of people all over the world, but Filipinos living in one of the low-income economy countries are hit harder than some. We thank you for your kindness and support to your Filipino staff.