This Week in Metro Manila (October 23 to 29, 2021)

Despite the lower alert level in the metro, 83 areas will remain under granular lockdown, as per data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). The data shows that 29 of them are under the Quezon City Police District; 25 from Manila Police District, 17 from Easter Police District, ten from Southern Police District, and two from Northern Police District. Police officers were deployed to patrol and secure the areas [1].

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also seeks the cooperation of all unit commanders with local government units (LGU) in case more personnel will be needed to patrol leisure facilities and public spaces. Over the past weekend, since Metro Manila shifted to Alert Level 3, many residents flocked to malls, Rizal Park, Manila Bay dolomite beach, and churches. Cinemas, theme parks, and amusement parks also reopened. Personal care services, religious gatherings, and dine-in are also now allowed as long as it’s at 30% capacity for indoor and only for fully vaccinated individuals; for outdoors, 50% capacity is permitted as long as employees are fully vaccinated.

Despite the improvement in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, cemeteries will be closed during the week of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to prevent mass gatherings. The closure is scheduled from October 29 to November 2 and applies to cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also noted that the public could visit their loved ones any other day and not just during this period. Cemeteries are allowed up to 30% capacity before and after Undas; strict minimum health standards will also be observed [2].

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared that the color coding scheme and truck ban are still suspended in the National Capital Region (NCR) despite the shift to a more relaxed alert level until the end of October [2]. They furthered that they will announce when both schemes are lifted.

Under the Alert Level 3, staycations are now allowed in Metro Manila as long as it's from accredited hotels. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), it will be valid until the end of the month. Guests of all ages are allowed to check in, but those above 18 and fully vaccinated are permitted to book. Unvaccinated individuals will need to present negative RT-PCR [3]. Hotels are allowed to operate at 100% capacity. The following are accredited hotels for staycations:

● Acacia Hotel Manila

● Aruga by Rockwell

● Belmont Hotel Manila

● Century Park Hotel

● Conrad Manila

● Diamond Hotel Philippines

● Discovery Primea

● Discovery Suites

● EDSA Shangri-la Manila

● Fairmont and Raffles Hotel

● Grand Hyatt Hotel

● Hilton Manila

● Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

● Hotel Okura Manila

● Hyatt Regency

● Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila

● Makati Diamond Residences

● Marco Polo Hotel

● New World Hotel Makati

● Nobu Hotel

● Novotel Manila Araneta City

● Nuwa Hotel of City of Dreams

● Okada Manila Hotel

● Shangri-la at the Fort

● Sheraton Manila Hotel

● Sofitel Philippines Plaza

● Solaire Resort

● The Bellevue Manila

● The Peninsula Manila

Metro Manila shows a drop in COVID-19 cases of infections, according to OCTA Research group. Their data shows that the NCR’s reproduction rate is also now at 0.58, which means that the transmission speed is slower. The positivity rate is now at 10%, with a seven-day average of 1,681 [4]. While the positivity rate has improved, it is still more than the ideal target of 5%, according to OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David. With these records, Metro Manila is now at moderate risk compared to early data.

Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Metro Manila!