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This Week News
This Week in Metro Manila (December 19 to 25, 2020)
Curfew hours in several Metro Manila cities are adjusted for simbang gabi.
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | December 19, 2020
Christmas week in Metro Manila will be filled with measures to lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the festive season. Curfews were adjusted by many local government units in Metro Manila to let residents attend simbang gabi (night mass). Major malls in the metro also released their operating hours for the holidays. In anticipation of the holidays, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also warned the public that those who will violate the “no Christmas party” rule will be arrested. Health experts also share safety tips to the public for a safer Christmas.
Lockdown News
Several Metro Manila cities cut curfew hours and set holiday rules
Curfew hours were adjusted in several Metro Manila cities this December to allow residents to prepare for the Christmas season. Quezon City, San Juan, and Caloocan are among the cities that adjusted curfew hours.
In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte announced the shortened curfew from 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM starting December 16. Churches will also be limited to only 30 percent of their capacity for simbang gabi. Meanwhile, fireworks displays at Quezon Memorial Circle and Eastwood will be live-streamed so residents won’t have to go out. For special events, venues may be used for commercial and work-related purposes as long as minimum health standards are followed [1].
In San Juan, the curfew is reduced to 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM from the previous 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM [2]. Exempted from the curfew hours are essential and frontline workers, government employees, emergency cases, public utility vehicle drivers, and essential goods delivery employees.
Meanwhile in Caloocan, the curfew was also set to 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM under Executive Order 045-2020 signed by Mayor Oca Malapitan. However, minors and senior citizens are still prohibited from going outside [3].
“No Christmas party” rule violators will be arrested
PNP chief. However, Sinas also clarified that dinners are not prohibited as long as strict health protocols, such as Gen. Debold Sinas warned the public on December 14 that they will arrest those who will violate the “no Christmas party” rule this holiday season [4]. This rule was set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in order to lessen the potential increase of COVID-19 cases during the holidaysphysical distancing and wearing of face masks and face shield, are followed. Sinas didn’t state the punishments and fines for apprehended violators.
Travel Updates: Hotel room availability for Christmas
Those who plan to book a staycation can check in since there are many available hotel rooms in Metro Manila for December 19 to 25 [5]. For safety, hotels might have health protocols and requirements for guests.
Shopping News: Metro Manila malls set operating hours
Major malls in Metro Manila announced their mall schedule during the holiday season [6]. The schedules of major malls are listed below:
SM Malls
SM Megamall, SM Fairview, SM Marikina, SM Aura, SM City North EDSA
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 31 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
SM Mall of Asia
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 to 31 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The Podium
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 31 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Robinsons Malls
Robinsons Magnolia
• Dec 7 to 23 – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 31 – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Robinsons Galleria
• December 4 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 31 – 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Robinsons Forum
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Ayala Malls
Ayala Malls Circuit
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• January 1 to 10 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• January 11 onwards – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ayala Malls Feliz
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ayala Malls Vertis North
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• January 4 onwards – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
Trinoma
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26-30 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• January 2 to 15 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Glorietta
• December 7 to 20 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 21 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday to Sunday
• January 4 onwards – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Greenbelt
• December 7 to 20 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 21 to 23 – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• December 24 – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 31 – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• January 4 onwards – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Rockwell
Power Plant Mall
• December 7 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 8 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 9 to 11 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 12 to 24 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 27 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 28 to 29 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 30 to 31 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• January 2 to 3 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Estancia
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Megaworld Malls
Eastwood
• December 7 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• January 1 – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Uptown Bonifacio
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
UP Town Center
• December 7 to 23 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 24 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• December 25 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• January 2 to 15 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Century City Mall
• December 7 to 24 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 25 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• December 26 to 30 – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• December 31 – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• January 1 – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
These operating hours are subject to changes, so shoppers are advised to check the specific mall’s social media pages for schedule adjustments before going.
Health News: Health experts share tips for safe Christmas
In order to lessen the risk of COVID-19 during the holidays, health experts shared some tips [7]. When it comes to shopping, experts recommend avoiding shopping malls as much as possible. If unavoidable, it’s recommended to wear face shields and face masks at all times. Other protocols such as hand washing and physical distancing must also be followed. Outdoor markets are generally favored. Overall though, the duration of stay also must not exceed 1 hour.
For parties, experts generally favor dining only with household members. The recommended number of guests are preferred to be limited to family members within the same household. Travelling to areas with higher quarantine levels is not recommended. During the gathering, activities are encouraged to be as short as possible and proper disinfection must be practiced. Using disposable plates and utensils is also encouraged.
For religious activities such as simbang gabi, online masses are encouraged. Those who can physically attend must make sure that the church is big enough to let visitors sit 6 feet away from each other. Those who will see light shows must also follow the health protocols.
Holiday News: December 25 and 24 are non-working holidays
Metro Manila will be celebrating Christmas on December 25. During the holidays, limited establishments are open. Experts recommend families to stay indoors to avoid crowded areas during the holiday celebration. December 24 is also a non-working holiday.
Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.
Sources:
[1] https://bit.ly/37qZgy4
[2] https://bit.ly/37nX9L8
[3] https://bit.ly/38aPUW3
[4] https://bit.ly/3r3q9Qf
[5] https://bit.ly/38cPrTu
[6] https://bit.ly/3nsjehn
[7] https://bit.ly/37nauDv
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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