MANILA -- The Metro Manila Council (MMC) shall reimpose longer curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting tomorrow, July 25, at the National Capital Region, after it was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions anew.
Under MMDA Resolution No. 21-13 Series of 2021, the 17 Metro Manila mayors have agreed to adjust the curfew hours from the previous 12 midnight to 4 a.m. because of the increase in the number of COVID 19 cases in Metro Manila and to control further transmission of the Delta variant.
The COVID-19 Delta Variant is highly contagious with an R Naught (R0), a measure of contagion or reproduction rate, of 5 to 8 "that may potentially trigger an exponential surge and local transmission in densely populated areas like the NCR,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said.
"We need to limit the movement of the public through the imposition of longer curfew hours. Since the Delta variant spreads exponentially, we should not let our guards down and implement necessary restrictions to contain the virus,” he added.
“While the Metro Manila Council recognizes the imperative to gradually and cautiously open the economy in order to increase business activities, reduce unemployment and underemployment, and promote economic growth, it is equally mindful of the paramount interests of life and health and the strict implementation of the prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate strategies,” the resolution stated.
In its latest advisory today, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded additional 17 new cases of Delta variant, with the total climbing to 64. Out of the new cases, 12 are local cases and 9 of them had an indicated address in NCR.
The DOH also declared an increase of COVID-19 infections in NCR in terms of growth rate, average daily attack rate, health care utilization rate, and intensive care utilization rate. The Health Department also reported on Friday that the seven-day moving average in the NCR shows signs of increasing trend as cases in the recent week have exceeded the previous week by 179 cases.
NCR’s average daily reported cases for the week of July 16 to 22 is 797.
On July 23, Metro Manila was placed under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until July 31.
The Metro Manila Council, composed of the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, is the governing body and policy-making body of the MMDA. (MMDA)
