As the National Capital Region (NCR) was scheduled to undergo a two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021 due to the rising number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, here is a quick recap of activities that are allowed or not under the strict lockdown:
Under ECQ, only those aged 18 to 65 are allowed to leave their homes. Those outside the said age group may also go out only to acquire basic goods and services.
People may still exercise outdoors but this must take place within their respective barangays only.
During ECQ, only virtual religious gatherings will be allowed. Necrological services, wakes, inurnment, funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 are also allowed but are limited to immediate family members.
Vaccination activities will likewise continue during ECQ.
Public transportation will also remain operational at 50-percent capacity during the lockdown period.
Interzonal travel from NCR-plus areas, or Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside their Residence (APORs). Only APORs will also be allowed to conduct intrazonal travel within NCR-plus areas.
The following are considered APORs:
- Health and emergency frontline services and uniformed personnel
- Government officials and employees on official travel
- Duly-authorized relief and humanitarian assistance actors
- Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
- Persons going to and from the airport
- Anyone crossing zones for work in permitted industries
- Public utility vehicle operators
Meanwhile, the following activities or establishments are not allowed under ECQ:
- Entertainment venues (Bars, concert halls, theatre, etc.)
- Recreational venues (net cafes, billiards, arcades, etc.)
- Amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides
- Traditional cockfighting and cockpits
- Lottery
- Horse racing with Off-track Betting (OTB) Stations.
- Indoor sports courts and venues
- Indoor and outdoor tourist attractions
- Venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions
- Personal care services (salons, parlors, beauty clinics, etc).
- Specialized markets of the Department of Tourism (staycations, accommodations)
- Indoor and al fresco dining