Metro Manila shifts to MECQ

Publish date: August 20, 2021

Hey, Poker players!

The COVID-19 Interagency Task Force (IATF) decided to ease the strict lockdown in Metro Manila and Laguna beginning August 21, lowering the status in both areas to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until the end of August.

The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) classification of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Laguna province.

Enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)is the strictest in the Philippines, which would expire on Friday, August 20.

Wondering what is allowed and what is not?

Here a guide.

Curfew is still in effect

The eight-hour curfew in Metro Manila will remain in effect despite its shift to the slightly more relaxed modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the coordinator of the National Capital Region’s mayors announced on Friday, August 20.

Exercise is allowed.

Outdoor exercises in NCR will be allowed for the period of MECQ starting tomorrow, August 21, from 6 am to 9 am onl

Quarantine passes.

Local government units in Metro Manila will not compel residents to present a quarantine pass when they leave their homes.

Liquor ban

During the ECQ period from August 6 to 20, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, and Valenzuela imposed a liquor ban.

LGU has the discretion of whether to ban the sale of liquor.

Personal care services, dine-in services

Unlike the MECQ in Metro Manila in April, restaurants are prohibited from conducting dine-in operations.

Beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops, and nail spas are also still not allowed to operate.

Religious gathering

Religious gatherings will remain virtual in areas under MECQ.

The IATF, however, has approved the conduct of necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals, as long as immediate family members of the deceased who succumbed from causes other than the coronavirus are able to present proof of their relationship with the deceased, and are able to comply with minimum health standards.

Granular lockdown

LGUs will ramp up efforts to identify COVID-19 hotspots in the region and place them under localized lockdowns.

“With the MECQ classification in effect, granular lockdowns shall be intensified, with the LGUs identifying areas where there are spikes in COVID-19 cases,” Abalos said.

“LGUs shall also double up its mass testing, immediate isolation, and contact tracing to further control the transmission of COVID-19 cases,” he added.

Olivarez said on Friday that 50% of the eligible population in Metro Manila has already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Stay safe poker playas!

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