This Week in Metro Manila (September 12 to 18, 2020)

Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos signed Ordinance No. 798 last September 5 imposing the use of face shields in public places. Under this new ordinance, residents are required to wear face shields when in public spaces, public transportation, and workplaces within the city. According to the ordinance, the face shields must completely cover the face, and visor-type shields are not allowed [2]. Violators will be fined PhP100 for the first offense, PhP200 for the second, and PhP300 for the third. A fine of PhP500 or week-long imprisonment will be given to subsequent offenses.

Three new bus stops were opened along EDSA last September 5. The three bus stops are located in North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, and Nepa Q-Mart [3]. These new bus stops can help passengers ride a bus and get off safely. With this development, there are now 7 stops along median lanes in EDSA: Guadalupe, Ortigas, Santolan, Main Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, and Nepa Q-Mart. Overall, there are 15 stops in both median and outer lanes.

Those planning on visiting Greenhills Shopping Center can expect safer shopping as the mall and local government implement health and safety protocols. According to San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, mall-goers can expect sanitized and disinfected facilities and stalls. In addition, the tiangge stalls have adequate spaces between them, and floor markings have been placed to manage the flow of customers [4]. Customers are also required to wear face masks and face shields.

Home quarantine is still allowed for mild and asymptomatic patients, the Department of Health (DOH) said. According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, home quarantine is safe as long as the patient has his or her own room, toilet, and there’s no immunocompromised individual in the household. The patient must also be monitored by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team [5]. Vergeire also adds that home quarantine is not the sole cause of community transmission of COVID-19. However, the National Task Force (NTF) previously stated that they believe home quarantine increases the risks of local transmission.

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