By Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said the public can expect the guidelines for Metro Manila's community quarantine Saturday, less than 24 hours before the National Capital Region (NCR) goes into a virtual lockdown. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) "Anytime today," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Saturday morning, when asked when the directives to government agencies and the public on the quarantine will be released. Panelo made the statement after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) met to provide guidelines for the proper implementation of the "emergency but temporary" directives intended to address the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. "The Palace shall issue a set of directives and their corresponding guidelines not just for compliance by government instrumentalities but more importantly, for the information of the public," he said. "The evaluation of these aforesaid measures is being undertaken in order to ensure that the threat of COVID-19 is properly addressed with the least amount of burden upon the lives of our citizens," he added. President Duterte announced Thursday evening that Metro Manila will be placed under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. He said this was like a lockdown, but acknowledged that people "fear" the term used. "It's just a matter of protecting and defending you from COVID-19. That's about it. It has nothing to do with the power of the military or the police, nor my power or these guys beside me. It's just an issue of protecting public interest," he said. The President likewise tapped barangay executives to help the government by strictly implementing the directives. He, however, warned them of suspension or dismissal if they fail to enforce the resolution on COVID-19. "Simply not imposing a rule imposed by the government, you lose your position or dismiss and worst you will go to jail," he said. "You better implement these. If not, you go to prison for dereliction of duty," he added. During the 30-day community quarantine, land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from NCR will be suspended. International travel into Metro Manila will be allowed, subject to travel restrictions. Filipinos flying home from abroad will be allowed, subject to quarantine restrictions Foreigners flying to their home countries abroad will also be allowed to leave but anyone flying to Ninoy Aquino International Airport from abroad will remain in Manila starting March 15. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Friday exemptions on the entry and exit of cargo, goods, produce, patients seeking medical attention in Metro Manila, and workers in NCR but living outside the quarantined area will be among those included in the guidelines. The government will strictly prohibit mass gatherings of people including in places of worship, concerts, large seminars and conventions, sporting events, social gatherings, and even weddings.