The National Capital Region (NCR) has been placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) subject to heightened restrictions from July 30 to August 5, and to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to August 20.
Malacaῆang said heightened restrictions for NCR are more stringent compared to the GCQ with heightened restrictions of other areas due to the Delta variant threat.
“Masakit na desisyon po natin ito dahil alam nating mahirap ang ECQ pero kinakailangan gawin po ito para maiwasan iyong kakulangan ng ating mga ICU beds at iba pang hospital requirements kung lolobo po talaga ang kaso dahil nga po sa Delta variant,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his announcement today (July 30).
Latest estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) show that each week Metro Manila ECQ costs P105-billion of the economy, and will also “increase poor people by up to 177,000 and 444,000 more without jobs.”
“These can be partly reversed if we use the 3 weeks to accelerate vaccination of everyone in the high risk areas. This way, the ECQ will be an investment to pave the way for a recovery once we control Delta spread,” NEDA chief Karl Chua said.
In a statement, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos said the Metro Manila Council will meet on July 30 evening for further measures.
“Anent to our request for more vaccines, Metro Manila LGUs [local government units] shall intensify their vaccination programs, inoculating as many as possible daily, to achieve population protection the soonest possible time in the NCR, it being the center of the pandemic,” Abalos said.
Earlier, the MMC appealed for tighter restrictions and expressed readiness to implement ECQ if funds to affected communities permit. It also requested for four million COVID-19 vaccine doses to be rolled out within two weeks.
Senator Grace Poe also called for “with timely and adequate cash aid” and urged the public to get vaccinated.
As of July 30 noon, the Philippines has already detected 216 Delta variant cases.
Limited activities
Indoor dine-in services and al fresco dining are prohibited, with only take-out and delivery allowed. Operations are allowed to continue and finish within the day for workers of such establishments.
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 may be allowed at 30% venue capacity.
Only Authorized Persons Outside their Residences (APOR) shall be allowed to travel into and out of NCR, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.
Only virtual religious gatherings shall be allowed, while gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 will be limited to immediate family members.
“Tanging virtual religious gatherings lang po ang pinapayagan. Ibig sabihin lahat po ng mass gatherings bawal po muna. Ang lamay at libing ng mga namatay na ang dahilan ay hindi COVID-19 ay pinapayagan,” Roque said.
The official said public transportation will continue to operate, but active transport such as the use of bicycles is encouraged.
Quarantine outside NCR
Gingoog City, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and Cagayan de Oro City will remain under ECQ until August 7.
Cebu City and Cebu Province have been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 1 to August 15, subject to further appeals. Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City are under modified ECQ (MECQ) within the same duration.
Placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions from August 1 to August 15 are Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Lucena City, Naga, Antique, Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, and Butuan City.
Under the original GCQ until August 31 are Baguio City, Apayao, Santiago City, Quirino, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Puerto Princesa in Luzon, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Cotabato City. – (OPS, NEDA, MMDA) AG-jlo,rir
