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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No more dine-ins, public gatherings in NCR, nearby provinces as COVID-19 cases continue to spike

No more dine-ins, public gatherings in NCR, nearby provinces as COVID-19 cases continue to spike

Published Mar 21, 2021 04:41 pm

The government's pandemic task force has recommended prohibiting dining in restaurants and public gatherings in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country continued to spike.

(Photographer: Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced on Sunday, March 22, that the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under the general community quarantine (GCQ) until April 4.

Based on IATF Resolution No. 104, only essential travel in and out of the said areas shall be allowed. Public transportation, however, will remain to be operational.

All mass gatherings including religious gatherings are prohibited and face-to-face meetings are discouraged. Weddings, baptisms, and funeral services shall also be limited to 10 persons.

Current operational capacities of essential and non-essential services/industries shall be maintained. The private sector is urged to adopt similar alternative work arrangements implemented by the executive branch like 30 percent to 50 percent operational or on-site capacity.

Dine-in restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments shall be limited to delivery, take-out. However, outdoor or al-fresco dining shall be allowed provided that engineering and administrative controls are in place like placing an acrylic or small dividers, limiting to two persons per table, among others.

The following businesses or industries in areas under the GCQ will be suspended until April 4:

  • Driving schools
  • Traditional cinemas and video- and interactive- game arcades
  • Libraries
  • Archives
  • Museums
  • Cultural centers
  • Limited social events at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) except open-air tourist attractions

Common curfew shall be imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Workers, cargo vehicles, and public transportation shall not be restricted by the curfew.

Those below 18 years old and above 65, including pregnant women and those with comorbidities or other health risks, are required to stay inside their homes at all times except when obtaining essential goods and services.

Those over 65 are allowed outside for outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of outdoor exercise. Persons with disability (PWDs) may be allowed outdoors for their therapy as well but upon presentation of prescription from their physician and presentation of PWD ID. 

The IATF also strongly discouraged visiting other households. Even at home, the body strongly advised the wearing of face masks for the elderly and the vulnerable.

Last week, Malacañang said the government was trying its best to bring down the number of COVID-19 without having to close the economy again by implementing stricter measures for two weeks.

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