The National Capital Region (NCR) will be put back to the tightest lockdown because of the worsening COVID-19 situation due to the more contagious variant starting next Friday.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Metro Manila will be placed back in the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20.
“Hindi po naging madali ang desisyon na ito ha. Maraming oras ang iginugol para pagdebatihan ang bagay na ito dahil binabalanse nga natin ‘yung pagpapabagal ng pagkalat ng COVID-19 dahil sa Delta variant at ‘yung karapatan natin na mabuhay at maiwasan mabawasan ang hanay ng mga nagugutom,” said Roque, Friday at PTV4.
“[A]lam natin na mahirap ang ECQ, pero kinakailangang gawin po ito para maiwasan ‘yung kakulangan ng ICU beds at iba pang hospital requirements… para mas maraming buhay ang mailigtas.”
Metro Manila will remain in general community quarantine (with additional heightened restrictions) from now until August 5 before transitioning to ECQ.
Prohibitions from now until August 5 in Metro Manila include:
indoor dine-in services
al fresco dining
operation of indoor sports courts and venues
operation of indoor tourist attractions and specialized markets by the Department of Tourism
religious gatherings
Metro Manila to be placed under ECQ starting August 6
Those who work in restaurants will be allowed to finish their shifts today, according to Roque. 30% venue capacity will be allowed for now in outdoor tourist attractions.
Only immediate family members will now be allowed in necrological services and burials, as long as the cause of death is not COVID-19.
Some of the restrictions also include 30% venue capacity on services such as beauty salons, parlors, barbershops, and nail spas.
Cebu City and Cebu Province will be added to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 1 to 15. However, it can still be appealed by local government units.
Both ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ will remain as announced by the Palace on Wednesday.
According to the latest Department of Health, 1.57 million people have been affected by COVID-19 in the Philippines on Thursday.
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