The Marikina City local government announced on Thursday that it will now limit the number of visitors to Marikina Riverbanks due to clustering and violations of the physical distancing protocol.
“Nabahala nga kami dahil hindi lang yun, dahil sobra ang excitement nila nakalimutan na yung minimum public health standards natin (We were really concerned because due to so much excitement, they have forgotten to follow the minimum public health standards)," Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro said in a radio interview with GMA.
“Ngayon nilalagyan natin sila ng limit maski na open area. May limit ang puwedeng maka-access doon sa area na yun (We now have set a limit to the number of people who can access the area, despite it being an open area)," he added.
According to Teodoro, frequent visitors to the riverbanks usually came from other areas like Antipolo, Cainta, and Quezon City.
The local government said it now has 586 active COVID-19 cases, of which, four percent are hospitalized.
It added that the number of infections has declined by 27 percent since last week.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos and presidential spokesman Harry Roque clarified on Thursday, Oct. 21, that minors in the National Capital Region are still not allowed to go outside under the Alert Level 3 quarantine status.
This means going to malls or parks remains prohibited, except for essential purposes or outdoor exercises.