PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- Metro Manila will be placed again under the strictest lockdown or the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting Aug. 6 to 20, 2021.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque announced Friday that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under ECQ.
Roque said that starting today, July 30 is under the general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened and additional restrictions until August 5, 2021. And then from August 6 until August 20, NCR will be placed under ECQ. ECQ is the most restrictive quarantine classification.
“Hindi po naging madali ang desisyon na ito. Maraming oras ang ginugol para pag debatehan ang bagay na ito dahil binabalanse nga po natin yung pagpapabagal ng pagkalat ng COVID-19 dahil sa Delta variant at yung karapatan natin na mabuhay at maiwasan, mabawasan ang hanay ng mga nagugutom. Pero matapos po ang matinding debate, kinakailangan magkaroon ng desisyon. Masakit na desisyon po natin ito dahil alam po natin na mahirap ang ECQ, pero kinakailangan gawin po ito para maiwasan yung kakulangan ng ating mga ICU beds at iba pang hospital requirements kung lolobo po talaga ang kaso dahil nga po sa Delta variant. Sa huli, ang inisip ng lahat ay kailangang gawin ang mahirap na desisyon na ito para mas maraming buhay ang maligtas," explained Roque.
Under IATF Resolution No. 130-A, indoor dine-in services and al fresco dining of food preparation establishments such as commissaries, restaurants, and eateries shall not be allowed, limited to take-out and delivery only. Operations for today, July 30, would continue in these establishments until the end of business/working hours.
Personal care services (beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas) may operate up to 30 percent (30%) of venue or seating capacity.
Indoor sports courts and venues, and indoor tourist attractions; specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (DOT), may not operate.
Likewise, outdoor tourist attractions shall remain to be allowed at 30 percent (30%) venue capacity.
Only Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR) shall be allowed to travel into and out of the NCR Plus Area.
The resolution also states that only virtual religious gatherings shall be allowed. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurment, funerals for those who died of cause other than COVID-19 shall be allowed, limited to immediate family members.
Other provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of CQ in PH, as amended, not affected by the foregoing shall continue to be in effect including those on the operation of public transportation. The use of active transportation shall likewise be promoted. (PIA-NCR)
