This Week in Metro Manila (September 26 to October 2, 2020)

Residents of San Juan can now stay active as Greenhills Mall opens the Greenhills Active Playground, a place for biking and jogging that is open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The shopping complex opened the playground last September 17 [1]. The entire vicinity is marked with instructions for workout drills and distance indicators. Finishing one lap at the complex is equivalent to one kilometer. The management has yet to confirm if the playground is only accessible to San Juan residents or if there’s any fee to be paid.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the 1-meter physical distance shall be retained between passengers in public transportation, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr announced last September 19.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) previously announced a plan to gradually ease the physical distancing measures in public transportation, which received backlash from netizens and multiple sectors. President Duterte made the decision after hearing the concerns of medical experts and government officials of a possible spike in COVID-19 cases if the physical distancing is reduced. In addition to observing physical distancing, Roque reminds commuters to wear face shields and face masks. Talking and eating are also prohibited [2].

Motorists are advised to expect the closure of the U-turn slot in North Avenue bus stop starting September 28. The closure of the U-turn slot will give way to the installation of concrete barriers for the new bus lane. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that 12 other U-turn slots will be closed to improve the travel time of buses [3]. Slot that will be closed are as follows:

• General Tinio U-turn slot

• De Jesus Street/ 8th Street left turning

• General Malvar U-turn slot

• Balintawak Market U-turn slot near BPI

• Kaingin Road U-turn slot near Nissan

• Congressional LRT Station U-turn slot near PANORAMA

• Corregidor intersection/Bansalangin U-turn slot

• U-turn slot near Quezon City Academy

• Santolan/Boni Serrano U-turn slot near Camp Crame

• Under Kalayaan Flyover Buendia U-turn slot

• P. Celle U-turn slot

• U-turn slot near Roxas Boulevard and Heritage Hotel

Signs were placed along EDSA to remind motorists of the closure.

Tourists from Metro Manila who are planning to enter Tagaytay will need to present an authorized travel pass before they can enter the city. The Cavite police set up checkpoints along the borders of the province to screen incoming tourists as Tagaytay City reopens for tourism. The checkpoints will be used to ensure that persons from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) won’t be able to enter Cavite without a travel authority. Currently, only tourists from areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) are allowed to enter Tagaytay City [4].

A 32-bed quarantine facility was opened by the Caloocan City government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last September 20. The quarantine facility is located behind the Caloocan City North Medical Center in Camarin. It will be used to quarantine COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms. Besides providing bed and amenities, food and vitamins will also be given for free for the patients. Medical staff will also conduct regular check-ups on patients [5].

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