Starting today, Metro Manila enters “GCQ subject to heightened and additional restrictions” until Aug. 5, then will be placed under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20
(Eagle News) — Malacanang announced additional restrictions that will take effect starting today, July 30, in Metro Manila as the Philippine capital is placed under “General Community Quarantine subject to heightened and additional restrictions.”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the additional restrictions will take effect from July 30 to August 5 in the Philippine capital where only virtual worship services will be allowed, while al fresco and indoor dining is again banned.
From August 6 to August 20, Metro Manila will then be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to stem an expected rise in cases as ICU beds and hospital facilities are limited.
Roque announced the additional restrictions that will take effect today.
“Tanging virtual religious gatherings lang po ang pinapayagan. ibig sabihin lahat po ng mass gatherings bawal po muna,” he said.
Indoor sports venues and indoor tourist attractions are also not allowed to operate for now, including indoor and al fresco dining. All food establishments will only cater to take-out or delivery services.
Roque said that this restriction on dining would take effect starting tomorrow, July 31.
“Sa mga pumasok po ngayong araw na ito sa mga ganitong establishment, yung mga nandoon na po sa mga restaurant, huwag po kayong mag-alala. Puede po kayong magbukas hanggang mamayang gabi. Bukas po ay magiging epektibo ang mga pagbabawal sa lahat ng indoor at al fresco dining,” he said.
Only Authorized Persons Outside of their Residences (APOR) will be allowed to go out and travel into and outside of the NCR plus areas which includes Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.
“Mas mahigpit po ito. Hindi po madali ang desisyon na ito,” Roque said explaining the restrictions that will take effect in the Philippine capital
“Sa huli ang inisip ng lahat, kailangan gawin ang mahirap na desisyon na ito para mas maraming buhay ang maligtas,” he said.
Roque said personal care services, such as beauty salons, beauty parlors, barber shops and nail spas may operate up to 30% of venue or seating capacity.
Indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions and specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT) may not operate. Outdoor tourist attractions, as may be defined by the Department of Tourism, shall remain to be allowed at 30% venue capacity.
Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed, provided they are limited to immediate family members.
“Other provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, not affected by the above restrictions shall continue to take effect, including those on the operation of public transportation. The use of active transportation shall likewise be promoted,” the Palace said.
Meanwhile, Gingoog City, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and Cagayan de Oro City shall remain under ECQ starting August 1 until August 7, 2021.
-Cebu City, Cebu province placed under MECQ from Aug. 1 to 15-
Cebu City and Cebu Province have been added to areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) starting August 1 until August 15, 2021, subject to further appeals by their local government units.
For Luzon, Ilocos Norte and Bataan; and for the Visayas, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City are under MECQ from August 1 until August 15, 2021.
-Areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions-
Placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions from August 1 to August 15, 2021 are Ilocos Sur; Cagayan; Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and Lucena City in Region 4-A and Naga City for Luzon; Antique, Aklan, Bacolod City and Capiz in Region 6 and Negros Oriental for the Visayas; Zamboanga del Sur; Misamis Oriental; Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental and Davao de Oro in Region 11 and Butuan City for Mindanao.
-Areas under GCQ-
On the other hand, Baguio City and Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Santiago City, Quirino, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2; Batangas and Quezon in Region 4-A and Puerto Princesa for Luzon; Guimaras and Negros Occidental in Region 6; Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Norte in Region 9; Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur in Region 11; General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and South Cotabato in Region 12; Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands in CARAGA and Cotabato City in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are placed under GCQ from August 1 to August 31, 2021.
All other areas are placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) classification from August 1 to August 31, 2021
(Eagle News Service)
