By Genalyn Kabiling People can go for a walk to exercise in public parks but must not congregate in large groups amid the ongoing quarantine restrictions in several areas, Malacañang said Friday. With gyms and other fitness establishments temporarily closed during the lockdown period, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque recognized that walking outside can be a form of healthy workout for people living in quarantine. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(JOEY DALUMPINES / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Well tingin ko pupuwede na 'yan dahil importante rin naman ang ehersisyo natin. Huwag lang magkukumpulan (I think that is allowed because exercise is also important. But there should be no large gathering)," he said in a radio interview when asked if walking in parks is allowed in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas. "Kung mayroon espasyo sa Metro Manila, may mga barangays na pumapayag na dahil siyempre health promotion ang ehersisyo (If there is space in Metro Manila, there are some barangays have allowed it because exercise promotes good health)," he added. Roque however advised the public to keep a safe distance from other people if they decide to go a for walk outside. He particularly reminded couples to avoid holding hands while walking in the park. He also reminded the public that mass gatherings remained prohibited in both enhanced and general community quarantine areas to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease. "Ang importante lang talaga ang nature ng sakit talaga nakahanap ng host talagang kakapitan. So kung paisa-isa po, wala na 'yung mag-asawa, mga nobyo-nobyo ng walking walking na may holding hands pa, pupuwede naman 'yan (It's important to note the nature of the disease that looks for a host to infect. So if you will walk alone, that's allowed. But there should be no couples holding hands while walking)," he said. The government has implemented a strict home quarantine policy except for essential work and market runs, suspended public transportation, banned mass gatherings, allowed operations of essential establishments, among others, in Metro Manila and several areas with high risk of coronavirus infection until mid-May. The enhanced community quarantine, implemented since March 17, seeks to stem the surge of cases of infections. The government, on the other hand, has relaxed the quarantine restrictions in areas with moderate and low risk of coronavirus spread starting May 1, allowing the partial opening of many establishments such as barbershops and clothing stores. Amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments, as well as those in the kids and the tourism industries however are temporarily prohibited to operate during the quarantine period. Roque made clear that gyms and dermatology clinics are among those not allowed to operate during the quarantine period. He admitted that he was saddened about the temporary closure of gyms because he is unable to work out. He said his fitness instructor suggested following an online exercise class instead to stay physically active. "Lalo akong tumataba na hindi ako nakakapunta sa gym. Dati anim na araw sa isang linggo ngayon hindi pa rin (I am getting fatter because I can't go to the gym. I used to go to the gym six times a week but now I can't do it),” the Palace official said.