PNP gears up for granular lockdowns as shift to MECQ begins
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is all set for the strict implementation of granular lockdowns after the National Capital Region (NCR) eased to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on Saturday, Aug. 21.

PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the public should not let their guards down even if the quarantine status in NCR was downgraded to MECQ from enhanced community quarantine as the threat of COVID-19, especially its more infectious variants such as Delta, is still present.
"Tatalima tayo sa kautusan sa PNP na maigting na pagpapatupad ng granular lockdowns sa mga lugar na mataas ang kaso ng COVID-19 (The PNP will obey the orders given to us to strictly enforce granular lockdowns in areas with high cases of COVID-19)," Eleazar said.
“I have tasked police chiefs to prepare their men for this,” he added.
Thousands of cops are expected to be fielded on the ground to man quarantine control points and remind residents to ensure that the minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols are strictly observed, Elezar said.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said areas in NCR, where there are increases in the number of COVID-19 cases, would be placed under granular lockdowns.
Granular lockdowns occur when a particular establishment, street, or barangay, that has a high incidence of infection is placed under lockdown instead of a region- or city-wide clamp.
This would avoid huge economic losses while ensuring that the situation is contained.
The national government has placed NCR under MECQ from Aug. 21 to 31, after it was reverted to ECQ in the past two weeks due to a surge of cases.
Aside from NCR, also placed under MECQ until the end of the month are Laguna and Bataan.
Under MECQ, al fresco dine-in services are prohibited. Care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops, and nail spas are also not allowed.