This Week in Metro Manila (May 23 to 29, 2020)

Metro Manila is currently under MECQ until May 31. Under the guidelines, certain businesses would be allowed to resume operations and public transportation is still limited [1]. The country’s COVID Joint Task Force announced that employees will be allowed to pass checkpoints in Manila by showing their IDs and certificates. The IDs should bear the address of the employee and the company address. For self-employed individuals with businesses that are permitted to operate under MECQ, proof of self-employment is needed.

When Metro Manila shifted from ECQ to MECQ, some restrictions like the liquor ban have been lifted. Below are Metro Manila cities that suspended the liquor ban:

• Las Piñas City

• Mandaluyong City

• San Juan City

• Marikina City

• Quezon City

• Pasay City

The local governments of these cities have set individual rules regarding the suspension of the ban in their area. For instance, Quezon City limits the hours for selling alcohol from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM only.One common rule, however, among the cities is the prohibition of public consumption of liquor

Meanwhile, Caloocan City has a partial lifting of the liquor ban. Under the City Ordinance No. 0869, residents are allowed to buy liquor from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The type and volume of alcoholic beverages are also limited. Beers should be just five bottles with a volume of 500mL or less or two bottles with a volume of one liter or more than 500mL. For wine is limited to two bottles with a volume of one liter or less. For gin, whiskey, brandy, and other hard liquor, one bottle with volume of one liter or less is allowed. Those who will violate the rules will be fined PhP500 for the first offense; PhP1,000 for second offense; and PhP1,500 for the third.

The number coding scheme will remain suspended indefinitely in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the MECQ, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) [2]. The MMDA suspended the number coding scheme in Luzon after the government placed the area under lockdown.

The Pasig City local government’s transportation sector released a new guideline that residents can follow as they continue to undergo changes under the MECQ. According to the guideline, the loading and unloading zones for the Pasig City Bus will be stricter.

Each shuttle will depart from the city hall at the exact time. Trips would be every 30 minutes during peak hours (5:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM). For off-peak hours (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM), there will be an hour in between trips. The buses will also have their location tracked per travel. In addition, free bus routes will be expanded to nearby cities. The routes are as follows:

• SM City East to Meralco: Cainta

• City Hall to Kalawaan; Makati, Pateros, BGC

• City Hall to The Medical City via Shaw Mandaluyong

• City Hall to Ligaya via PCGH and Rosario: Marikina

• City Hall to Kenneth: Taytay

Most of the trips will start and end at the Pasig City Hall. Residents can also check Sakay.ph to know the location of the free trips [3].

Transportation in Taguig and Mandaluyong City will also be adjusting to the “new normal” under the MECQ. For Taguig City, the local government has set rules on the use of single vehicles such as motorcycles, bikes, and electronic bikes (e-bikes). These vehicles can be used in Taguig as means of transportation for those buying essential goods and those who have to work [4]. To comply with the social distancing rules, only one person would be allowed on board. The rider is also required to bring a quarantine pass, company ID, or certificate of employment. They must also wear a helmet, face mask, and other protective gears.

In Mandaluyong City, tricycles would be allowed to have limited operations within its borders. Mayor Carmelita Abalos said that tricycle drivers will undergo COVID-19 rapid testing before they are allowed to work. To ensure the safety of passengers, plastic barriers will also be installed between the driver and passenger. Drivers would also be required to wear face masks and gloves. An approved fare matrix as well as the name of the driver (which indicates they tested negative for the virus) will be placed inside the vehicle [5]. Drivers would also be split into two groups and will be given an assigned schedule.

SM City North EDSA stated that they will comply with Quezon City’s guidelines for the modified enhanced community quarantine [6]. According to their statement, only those with quarantine passes and other proof of exemption can enter the mall from May 16 to 31, 2020.

Residents in Taguig City can now jog and exercise outside of their houses as the city government laid out new guidelines under MECQ. According to the guidelines, only one member of the household will be allowed to go outside to jog or workout. Pregnant women and people under 21 years old or above 60 years old will not be allowed. The individual should also be healthy and should not have any immunodeficiency, comorbidities, and other health risks.

The person must also carry a unified quarantine pass while exercising. Residents are only allowed to go outside between 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Activities should also be done within their own barangay. Wearing of face masks will be required at all times. For social distancing measures, residents should maintain a distance of 5 meters from each other [7]. Punishment for those who will violate the rules are not indicated.

More laboratories in the Philippines have been approved by the Department of Health (DOH) as COVID-19 testing centers, and there are now 30 laboratories that are capable of detecting COVID-19. The latest accredited facilities include the Asian Hospital and Medical Center and Allegiant Regional Care Hospital. These facilities are able to conduct real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

DOH also reported that 64 laboratories are currently in Stage 3 and Stage 4 of the five-stage accreditation process. The health bureau said that they are aiming for 78 testing laboratories by the end of May in order to increase the country’s testing capacity [8].

President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 25, 2020 as a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan). Work will be suspended throughout the country.

Visit Yoorekka for more updates on Metro Manila.