MANILA, Philippines — The man-made dolomite beach at Manila Bay was reopened yesterday after Metro Manila was eased into Alert Level 3 status.
Crowds gathered and lined up along the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard before the beach was opened to the public at 8 a.m.
As the fences opened, visitors – armed with cell phones – rushed into the attraction.
The man-made beach could accommodate 300 to 500 people at a time, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which manages the site.
Open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., adults and children – whether vaccinated against COVID-19 or not – should wear a face mask and a face shield at all times, the DENR said.
Food and drink are prohibited at the beach.
The Manila Bay dolomite beach project costs P389 million, with P28 million used for overlay of crushed dolomite turned into sand.
It opened last July, with people allowed on the “sand” for only five minutes.