Only essential travel will be allowed in and out of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal to tame the surge in COVID-19 infections, the government's pandemic task force said.
[UPDATE, March 22] Tourism or staycation within the NCR Plus Bubble is allowed with restrictions. Read more here.
The capital region and the four surrounding provinces will be treated as one area, from March 22 to April 4, 2021. These will be be placed under GCQ or general community quarantine, the second-lowest set of restrictions.
As of today, March 21, the Philippines has 73,702 active cases.
“Sana po maintindihan ng lahat na this is for the common good. Alam natin po natin na nagplano na kayo at talagang you were looking forward to this Holy Week break. Pero kung papayagan po natin ang [non-essential] travel ngayon, ay talagang mas mapapabilis ang pagkalat ng new variants sa iba pang parte ng Pilipinas," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.
To those going home to and from the GCQ bubble, Roque said one must present an identification card showing proof of residence to be allowed access, reiterating traveling for leisure isn't allowed.
"Sa tingin ko naman maiintindihan ng sambayanang Pilipino na with [about] 8,000 COVID cases per day…reasonable naman po itong bubble na ginawa natin sa Metro Manila at mga karatig na probinsya," he added.
The IATF also issued the following guidelines:
- The common curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. remains.
- Only those 18 to 65 can leave the house.
- Public transport continues, subject to restrictions by the DOTr.
- Only authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) are allowed without a quarantine pass. Read about APOR here.
- All mass gatherings, including religious gatherings, are prohibited. Face-to-face are meetings discouraged.
- Weddings, baptisms, and funerals are limited to 10 people.
- Current capacities of essential and non-essential industries will remain subject to strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Restaurants will be limited to delivery and takeout. Alfresco or outdoor dining will be allowed as long as there are two people per table and acrylic barriers.
- The suspension of operations of the following, as announced on March 18, will remain: cinemas, driving schools, libraries, arcades, museums, cultural centers, cockpit arenas.
This article originally appeared on Reportr.World. Minor edits have been made by SmartParenting.com.ph editors.
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