This Week in Metro Manila (September 25 to October 1, 2021)

In all 72 barangays in Metro Manila, 140 areas are under granular lockdown, according to reports by the Philippine National Police (PNP) [1].

The granular lockdown began last September 16 when Metro Manila shifted to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with an Alert level 4 status. During the lockdown, restrictions in indoor dining and operations of personal care services are eased. Metro Manila local government units also adjusted curfew periods to 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM. Other protocols under the Alert Level 4 include operation suspension of the following facilities [2]:

● Cinemas

● Hotel staycations

● KTV bars, clubs, bars, theaters, and concert halls,

● Indoor events, conference, meeting, and incentives venues

● Social events like birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions

● Amusement parks (both indoors and outdoors)

● Indoor face to face classes unless approved by the government

● Libraries and other cultural hubs (museums, archives, exhibits, and galleries)

● All contact sports unless under LGU-approved bubble-type setup

● Betting and gambling venues

● Fitness centers and indoor leisure facilities

● Wellness establishments for acupuncture, electrocautery, massage therapy)

● Home services for wellness activities

● Aesthetic clinics, salons, and holistic centers

Individuals with ages below 18 and above 65 years old are not allowed to go outside and pregnant women and persons with comorbidities. It will also vary if the individual will be getting essentials.

Meanwhile, these are allowed under the Alert Level 4:

● Alfresco dining for 30% of the venue capacity

● Indoor dining but only for vaccinated individuals (10% of the venue’s capacity)

● Outdoor setup of personal care services as long as under 30% capacity

● Indoor personal care services for fully vaccinated individuals at 10% capacity

● Outdoor exercises for all ages and vaccination status

● Intrazonal and interzonal travel for APORs

● Wakes, funerals, and necrological services for those who died from non-COVID-19 cases.

Under the granular lockdown, only OFWs bound for international travel can leave areas under this classification. Other authorized persons include those who need emergency medical attention, food, essential delivery services, and those who want to live in the areas for the entire duration. Food stubs will be given to households affected.

All PNP personnel in Metro Manila were ordered to monitor outdoor tourist spots in Metro Manila, PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar mentioned last September 17 [3]. According to Eleazar, the heightened presence of policemen will remind the public to follow and observe safety protocols during the Alert Level 4 status in the area. This announcement came soon after Rizal Park and other outdoor landmarks reopened under limited capacity and shortened operating hours.

Taguig City will resume its free RT-PCR testing for residents amidst the GCQ and Alert Level 4 status in Metro Manila. Mayor Lino Cayetano said that consistent testing is part of the national government’s “Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate” strategy in containing COVID-19 cases. 1,000 free RT-PCR tests are conducted in Taguig City daily—which also led them to get the record for the most RT-PCR tests in the NCR according to the Department of Health (DOH) [4]

With pre-registrations ongoing for several NCR cities, the COVID-19 vaccination program of the youth population is currently in the process of development, according to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr last September 17 [5]. Once the preparation reaches its saturation point, vaccine rollout will start for those below 18 years old. Expert approvals and recommendations are needed to jumpstart the inoculation.

Currently, areas under Metro Manila such as Manila City, Caloocan, Pateros, and Taguig have started to accept pre-registration for minors.

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