MANILA – Metro Manila will be placed under curfew from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. during the month-long community quarantine that begins today.
Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia said on Saturday that the local
government units of Metro Manila have agreed to the imposition of curfew in bid
to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19. Garcia, however,
said that those who will be travelling to and from their workplace and those
who were buying essential needs such as foods and medicines will be exempted
from the curfew.
“Ang curfew na pinag-usapan from 8 pm to 5 a.m., bawal ‘yung magigimmick
except for workers,” Garcia said. “Hindi
naman po sila huhulihin pero pagsasabihan sila na umuwi na.”
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, however, clarified that
the imposition and implementation of a COVID-19 curfew on Metro Manila will
depend on the ordinances yet to be passed by local government units (LGUs).
“The legal basis for the curfew includes the ordinances and the mayors agreed
to issue these on Monday,” Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.
“It is an added measure requested and approved by the Metro Manila mayors. Now,
it is dependent on the respective city council to pass their ordinance,” he
added.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila mayors have also requested all bars, establishments
and other related entertainment shops to shut down during the 30-day quarantine
which runs from March 15 to April 14.
“Ang bukas lang is supermarket,
grocery, banks and other essentials again. Sabi
nga ng mga mayors natin sa panahong
ito sino ba naman ang magsha-shopping
pa ng bagong sapatos, bagong damit?” Garcia said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also announced suspended and limited
operations of various modes of public transportation during the Metro Manila
community quarantine.
This includes the temporary suspension of motorcycle taxi operations,
provincial buses, jeepneys, UV express with interregional operations to and
from Metro Manila, passenger sea vessels to and from Metro Manila.
DOTr said that all passengers with flu-like symptoms and a temperature of over
38 degrees Celsius will be denied entry in terminals. All PUV drivers and
conductors must wear face masks all the time too.
Cargo trucks and vans from the Port of Manila will be required to have a cargo
entry permit from the Philippine Ports Authority.
The Philippine government implemented community quarantine in Metro Manila
after it upgraded its alert level to Code Red Sub-Level 2 because of the
evidence of community transmission and prevalence of COVID-19 cases beyond what
the government can address.
Currently, the Philippines has 98 confirmed cases, including eight deaths, of
coronavirus disease. Most of the patients diagnosed with the coronavirus
disease are admitted to hospitals from Metro Manila./PN
