This Week in Metro Manila (August 1 to 7, 2020)

In a late-night address on August 2, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire NCR under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) along with Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan from August 4 to 18. This decision comes after medical frontliners raised their concerns and requested the implementation of stricter quarantine measures to increase their work efficiency.

Under MECQ, persons below 21 and above 60 years old are not allowed to go out. Those who are pregnant, with immunodeficiency and other comorbidity are also recommended to stay home. Quarantine passes shall also be required again. As of August 2, the Philippines has over 100,000 COVID-19 cases.

The National Task Force also included in their guidelines several measures, such as the observance of minimum public health standards set by the Department of Health (DOH). Select industries and establishments will be allowed to operate with a skeletal workforce provided they adhere to required safety measures. Some industries are also encouraged to conduct work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements if applicable.

Meanwhile, hotels and similar establishments are not allowed to operate, except those accommodating the following:

• Hotels outside Luzon with guests who have bookings for foreigners as of May 1, 2020.

• Guests who have long-term booking

• Distressed OFWs and stranded individuals

• Repatriated OFWs in compliance with quarantine protocols

• Individuals required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine

• Health care workers and other APORs

Unauthorized public mass gatherings and non-work (concerts, movie screenings, and sporting events) gatherings are also prohibited. Religious gatherings are allowed but will be limited to not more than five persons. Face-to-face classes are also suspended. Meanwhile, physical activities such as exercising, running, jogging, biking, and walks are allowed but standard health protocols like mandatory wearing of face masks are to be followed.

Public transportation in Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan is suspended as they revert back to modified enhanced community quarantine from August 4 to 18. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), public transport services that will not be allowed to operate include taxis, trains, jeepneys, buses, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS). Tricycles are also not allowed, except those that will adhere to the guidelines set by the local government units in respective areas.

Vehicles that are allowed include public shuttles for frontliners and other workers who belong in authorized industries. Meanwhile, personal vehicles should only carry two persons per row and passengers must be working in permitted sectors. Two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, and e-scooters are also allowed.

After 37 years of service, the Shangri-La Finest Chinese Cuisine in Quezon City ceased operations starting August 1, 2020. The restaurant, which served numerous personalities like Pope John Paul II, closed its doors due to the challenges and losses caused by the ongoing pandemic. The restaurant is one of the establishments that announced their closing during the pandemic alongside Kidzania Manila, Today x Future, The Oasis Paco Park Hotel, and Polilya [3].

Manila’s fourth free COVID-19 testing facility was opened last July 23, 2020. The walk-in facility is located at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) and it can accommodate 100 people per day. The facility is open for Manila residents and nonresidents from Monday to Friday but they must present valid IDs. The testing is done by screening blood samples using a serology machine that can detect antibodies for the coronavirus [4].

Previously, the Manila city government opened two drive-thru testing sites at the Quirino Grandstand and near the Andres Bonifacio Monument on Taft Avenue. The first walk-in testing site was opened at the Ospital ng Sampaloc.

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.