Over 100 cyclists apprehended amid Manila ECQ

More than 100 cyclists were charged by the Manila Police District (MPD) this Easter Sunday while enforcing the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) at NCR Plus.

The MPD said the cyclists were not authorized persons outside residence (APOR), according to a News TV Live report.

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One cyclist said he would just buy medicine.

Others will exercise.

According to the MPD, it is possible to exercise during an ECQ but only in front of the house or only in the respective barangays.

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The cyclists were photographed and then sent home.

According to Malacañang, exercise is an essential activity but it should be done only in one’s own barangay.

“Uulitin ko po ha, importante po talaga ang exercise. Hindi po kayo pinagbabawalan. Pero huwag naman kayong lalabas doon sa komunidad ninyo o doon sa inyong barangay ninyo,” said presidential spokersperson Harry Roque.

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Over 100 cyclists apprehended amid Manila ECQ

The ECQ on NCR Plus which was supposed to be only one week and would have ended this Easter Sunday has been extended by the government for another week, until April 11th.

This is due to the continuous increase of COVID-19 cases in NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna).

Under the ECQ, public movement is more limited to prevent COVID-19 infection. Only APORs and those with emergencies will be allowed to leave their homes.

Meanwhile, PNP reported on Sunday that the number of motorists traversing the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) decreased by 50,000 during the Holy Week period amid ECQ in NCR Plus.

“In fact, sa NLEX about 70,000 na mga motorista kasama na ang mga pampasaherong sasakyan, bumaba ito ng 20,000 na nagpapakita sa paggalang ng ating mga kababayan sa ECQ at sa Semana Santa,” PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said.

(In fact, on NLEX, from 70,000 motorists including public utility vehicles, the number was reduced to 20,000 which showed that the public is compliant with ECQ and the observance of the Holy Week.)

“We can only hope na yung mamamayan will just simply comply with minimum health and safety protocols. Kung sakali ‘di kayo pinalabas last year huwag na kayo lumabas,” Usana said.