A uniform curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be imposed in Metro Manila as part of the stricter implementation of the general community quarantine (GCQ) to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the Palace said.
While the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 approved a curfew beginning at 8 p.m., Manila, Muntinlupa and Pasig have yet to amend their ordinances that start their cities’ curfew hours at 10 p.m., Palace spokesman Harry Roque said.
“There was an NTF meeting and we considered the recommendations of the mayors to actually impose a stricter GCQ because when we consulted the mayors, they were in agreement that it should be GCQ but it should be of a strict type similar to what was imposed in June,” Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Roque said the implementation of “localized and granular” lockdowns in areas under GCQ would be “aggressively” pursued.
Metro Manila, which remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, eased into a GCQ Wednesday after a two-week modified lockdown to give health workers a breather and to prevent the collapse of the country’s health care system.
Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, and Batangas have been placed under GCQ until Aug. 31.
Also under GCQ are the cities of Iloilo, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay, as well as the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province.
Roque said the NTF has also agreed that mass gatherings, including religious services, in GCQ zones must be strictly limited to only 10 people.
“That means it is no longer the case that a religious gathering is allowed up to 10 percent of the capacity. It is now only 10 people strictly,” he said.
Roque also said the operation of gyms, internet cafes, and review and tutorial centers would remain suspended.
Restaurants and salons located in GCQ areas may operate, but their capacity would be determined by local government units (LGUs).
“We leave it now to the LGUs to determine the capacity of dine-in, as well as the salon because that’s what the mayors asked — to have more discretion in opening sensitive industries and businesses,” he said.
Roque added that back or pillion riding on motorcycles is allowed in GCQ areas as long as the driver and passenger share the same address.
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“They’re not required to wear the barriers. However, they are still required to wear a helmet, face mask, and face shield. If they are of different addresses, then they will have the angkas-side barrier. But in any case, only private motorcycles are allowed,” Roque said.
LGUs can also issue quarantine passes in places put under GCQ, he said.
“In areas that are covered by localized or granular lockdowns, quarantine passes are a must,” Roque said.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said members of the NTF agreed that dining in at restaurants and salon and barbershop operations would be allowed under the GCQ.
“The NTF last night basically reaffirmed (what was discussed in the) earlier cabinet meeting, presided by the executive secretary, to postpone the reopening of the last batch of sectors,” Lopez said, referring to gyms, review centers and internet cafes, which will remain closed until Aug. 31.
These will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity starting Sept. 1, he said.
In other developments:
• The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) on Wednesday said locally stranded individuals should not be allowed to leave Metro Manila unless they commit to stay in their province of destination for at least two months. In a radio interview, Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr., LPP national president, said they made the proposal to the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
• The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said lotto operations are now allowed to resume in GCQ and modified GCQ areas. The sale of lotto tickets, online Keno and Instant Sweepstakes would resume, the PCSO said, but Small Town Lottery games will remain suspended. With PNA