Malacañang on Tuesday announced more prohibitions for areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and with “heightened restrictions,” including the closure of gyms, recreational centers and entertainment venues.
In a virtual presser, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the new restrictions would take effect from June 1 to June 15 or the duration of the GCQ extension in NCR-Plus announced by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.
“Bawal po lahat ng mga entertainment venues. Bawal din po lahat ng recreational venues, iyong mga net cafes, mga billiards at arcades. Bawal pa rin po ang mga amusement parks, ang mga fairs and playgrounds at ang sabong,” he said.
Lottery and horse racing with off-track betting, meanwhile, are allowed but only temporarily. Outdoor contact sports are prohibited.
Roque said gyms were susceptible to being “super spreaders” of Covid-19.
“Talagang susceptible talaga for super spreader events ang mga gyms because of the nature of activity that goes in there – it’s indoors, it involves sweating and it involves close contact,” he added.
Gyms however are allowed under ordinary GCQ.
Ordinary GCQ was imposed in Baguio City, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City until end-June. John Ezekiel J. Hirro