NCR under stricter GCQ until next week, ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20

Malacañang on Friday announced that tighter lockdowns would be implemented in Metro Manila until Aug. 20 to prevent the spread of the Delta Covid-19 variant.

In an announcement aired over state TV, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Metro Manila would be under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from July 30 to Aug. 5, and enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to Aug. 20.

Roque said indoor dine-in services and al fresco dining were prohibited in Metro Manila.

Personal care services, such as beauty salons, beauty parlors, barber shops and nail spas may operate up to 30 percent of venue or seating capacity.

Indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions and specialized markets of the Department of Tourism are not allowed to operate, Roque said.

Under ECQ, only establishments offering essential services are allowed to operate.

“Hindi po naging madali ang desisyon na ito, maraming oras ang ginugol para pagdebatihan ang bagay na ito dahil binabalanse nga po natin iyong pagpapabagal nang pagkalat ng Covid-19 dahil sa Delta variant at iyong karapatan natin na mabuhay at maiwasan o mabawasan ang hanay ng mga nagugutom,” Roque said.

The spokesman earlier said that placing the capital region under ECQ would be difficult due to a supposed lack of funds for financial assistance.

But on Friday, Roque said cash aid would be distributed in Metro Manila.

“Inaasahan natin na kapareho iyan noong ibinahagi noong huling ECQ at saka iyong ibinigay din sa mga mamamayan ng Iloilo at saka ng Cagayan De Oro at Gingoog. So P1,000 kada tao hanggang maximum of four [kada pamilya,” he said in a radio interview.

Roque said only authorized persons outside their residences would be allowed to travel into and out of NCR-Plus, which includes Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal.

It remains unsure whether public transport will be restricted, Roque said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro