Metro under unified 8 PM – 5 AM curfew

Gyms, review centers, internet cafes, derma clinics still not allowed

MANILA, Philippines — Uniform curfew hours will be implemented in Metro Manila while some businesses previously allowed to reopen will remain closed as authorities enforce a stricter general community quarantine (GCQ) to contain the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the curfew hours for the National Capital Region (NCR) will be from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The uniform curfew hours took effect last night, except for Manila, Muntinlupa and Pasig, which had been implementing their respective curfew ordinances as of yesterday.

“Manila, Muntinlupa and Pasig local governments, however, agreed to (adopt) the curfew hours of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. within the week,” Roque said in a statement.

Establishments offering personal care and aesthetic procedures and services except salons and barbershops, gyms, fitness studios, sports facilities, testing and tutorial centers, review centers, internet cafés, drive-in cinemas and pet grooming services will remain closed as the government wants the reopening of the economy to be gradual.

These establishments will be closed until the end of the month, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

“The reopening of the last batch of sectors like gyms, review centers, internet cafes will be postponed until Aug. 31, following the principle of gradual reopening from MECQ to GCQ,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a Viber message yesterday.

Lopez added that this would apply only to the establishments located in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, which were placed under GCQ starting yesterday after they were reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4 to 18.

“(The National Task Force against COVID-19) last night basically reaffirmed earlier cabinet meeting presided by (the executive secretary) to postpone the reopening of the last batch of sectors,” he said.

Barbershops and salons were allowed to operate at 30-percent capacity in GCQ areas starting June 7.

The government had allowed personal grooming and aesthetic services, pet grooming shops, gyms, fitness centers, sports facilities, drive-in cinemas, review centers, testing and tutorial centers, and internet cafes to resume operations on Aug. 1.

Dine-in restaurants, salons and barbershops, and all their services, except full body massages, will be allowed in Metro Manila. Local governments will decide on the allowed capacity for these establishments.

The government has allowed restaurants to offer dine-in service in GCQ areas at 30-percent capacity since June 15.

They were forced to suspend operations again last Aug. 4 after Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal were reverted to the stricter MECQ. The NCR and the four nearby provinces were placed under partial lockdown until Aug. 18 to give the government time to improve its pandemic response and to expand the country’s healthcare capacity.

Metro Manila and the four provinces, which account for about two thirds of the country’s economic output, were placed again under GCQ starting yesterday, but local governments called for stricter measures to prevent spikes in COVID-19 cases.

Roque said mass gatherings, including religious services, would be allowed in Metro Manila but only up to 10 persons can attend.

For motorcycle backriding, a barrier is not required for riders living in the same house. For those not living in the same house, they are required to have the barrier designed by Angkas. The backrider must be an authorized person outside residence while the driver need not be one.

“Motorcycle must be privately owned and not for hire, and both riders should have face masks and full-face helmets that must be worn at all times while backriding,” Roque said.

The wearing of both face shields and face masks are required in commercial places, indoor workplaces and public transport. It will be up to local governments to decide whether to require quarantine passes for people who will go out of their homes.

Roque said the GCQ transition protocols for Metro Manila were approved by members of the NTF and some members of the Cabinet last Tuesday.

Military assistance

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday assured the public that the military would continue to assist and perform assigned tasks in the implementation of GCQ in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Capt. Jonathan Zata said soldiers would help with the guidance from the national government through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the National Task Force against COVID-19.

“We will strictly uphold new protocols that will be established as Metro Manila and other provinces shift to general community quarantine,” Zata added.

He called on the public to also do their part and cooperate in complying with health and safety protocols being implemented for the good of everybody, noting that the coronavirus “is an enemy that requires a different form of sacrifice, commitment and dedication.”

“As protectors of the people and the state, the AFP assures that, shoulder to shoulder, we will overcome this pandemic and stand up better and more resilient,” he said.

Safety protocols at McDonald’s

Fast food chain McDonald’s Philippines has assured consumers that it has put in place safety protocols in all stores as dine-in is now allowed again in Metro Manila and nearby areas after shifting to GCQ yesterday.

In a statement, McDonald’s Philippines said it has already implemented various measures in their stores and various ordering channels through its M Safe program amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the measures, each McDonald’s store has a dedicated safety manager to ensure all protocols are followed by employees such as wearing of masks and/or face shields, use of gloves, daily submission of health check forms, temperature checks before and after every shift and hand washing every 30 minutes.

Safety managers are also tasked to ensure that customers are informed of the protocols while inside the store.

“We understand that consumers remain to be wary of their safety in shared spaces. Part of our commitment is to ensure that from our protocols to our facilities, we have the best systems in place for the safety of everyone, especially inside our stores,” McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive officer Kenneth Yang said.

“With these measures in place, employees are safe and customers can enjoy their favorite World Famous Fries or Best-Tasting Chicken McDo worry-free at any McDonald’s branch in the country,” Yang added. – Louella Desiderio, Michael Punongbayan