This Week in Metro Manila (May 9 to 15, 2020)

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco signed Executive Order No. 029, which places the entire city of Navotas under extreme enhanced community quarantine from 5:00 AM on May 6 to 11:59 PM on May 15. The order is made after the city has reported an increase in the number of quarantine violators. Currently, there have been 1,248 adult quarantine violators and 594 minors.

Under the extreme ECQ, residents in all barangays in the city will follow an alternating schedule for purchasing essential goods and food. Residents in SRV, North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran, Bangkulasi, BBS, Navotas East, Sipac-Almacen, Daanghari, Tangos North, and Tanza 1 will be allowed to go out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Those from NBBS Proper, NBBS Dagat-Dagatan, North Bay Boulevard North (NBBM), BBN, Navotas West, San Jose, San Roque, Tangos South, and Tanza 2 can buy necessities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Groceries, markets, and other shops will be open from 5:00AM to 8:00PM. Sundays will be allotted for disinfection and cleaning. Drug stores and pharmacies will be allowed to operate to sell emergency medicines. The liquor ban will also remain in effect. Exempted from the extreme ECQ are essential workers and frontline health workers. Police staff will be deployed all over the city to enforce proper implementation of the ordinance [1].

Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City will be under total lockdown for a week from May 7 to 14. The barangay is found to have the most number of COVID-19 cases in the city with 57 confirmed positive [2]. The local government of Mandaluyong stated that city officials will deliver food packs to barangays. Rapid testing of 3,000 residents will also be conducted during the lockdown in the barangay. An ordinance is yet to be signed by Mayor Menchie Abalos, but the local authorities are keeping track of other barangays that have a high number of cases. Mandaluyong City has recorded a total of 418 cases as of writing.

Guidelines for social distancing in public transportation in areas under general community quarantine have been shared by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) [3]. According to DOTr, all public transportation will only be allowed to carry 50% of their usual passenger capacity. Below are some of the rules.

• For public buses and shuttle services, passengers will be required to keep at least one seat apart from each other. Standing passengers will be prohibited.

• For public utility jeepneys, passengers will be kept one seat apart from each other as well. No standing passengers will be allowed.

• For taxis, passengers are allowed to be seated beside the driver. Only two persons will be allowed per row.

• For tricycles, only one passenger is allowed on the side car. Back rides will no longer be allowed.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has established rules for the “new normal” as flights are expected to resume after the extended enhanced community quarantine ends. The rules include safety measures for airport employees and passengers, and are as follows:

• Wearing face masks will be required inside the facility.

• Security personnel will also check the body temperature of everyone entering the airport complex.

• Acrylic barriers will be installed in all 330 check-in counters and help desks at NAIA.

• X-ray machines, portable scanners, and handheld metal detectors will be used to limit manual frisking.

• Only passengers with valid travel documents and confirmed bookings for the day will be allowed at the airport.

• Facilities and equipment will be disinfected regularly.

• All comfort rooms will have hand washing materials, hand sanitizers, toilet papers, and paper towels.

• Foot baths will be placed in all entry and exit points.

• Safety precaution posters and health guidelines will be put across NAIA information boards and MIAA’s social media websites.

• All passengers are required to fill out electronic health declaration and locator forms for contact tracing.

Shoppers can now get “next essential” items delivered after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given its green light for deliveries of clothing, appliances, and housewares in Metro Manila [4]. DTI Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that housewares are considered as “next essentials” since people might need to replace broken appliances during the quarantine. Pet food products are also considered as “next essentials.”

SM Department store has re-opened online with a delivery service. Shoppers can now get clothing items such as underwear, sleepwear, loungewear, activewear, and even personal protective equipment (PPE). To shop, customers can visit SM’s website or contact the nearest mall branch through social media. Orders will be accepted from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM only. Payment methods are cash on delivery, credit or debit card or bank transfers [5]. Delivery delays are expected due to checkpoint restrictions.

The Department of Health has placed new “mega swabbing” centers in Metro Manila in order to increase testing capacities for COVID-19. The locations are in Mall of Asia in Pasay, Enderun Tent in Taguig, and Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Meanwhile, the Philippine Arena in Bulacan is also chosen as a facility to cater to residents in the north. These new facilities aim to expand testing capacity to 30,000 daily by May 31 [6].

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