COVID-19

Mayors recommend GCQ extension for Metro Manila until end-2020

Rappler.com

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Mayors recommend GCQ extension for Metro Manila until end-2020

SHOPPING. In this file photo, people troop to malls on August 20, 2020, as Metro Manila reverts to General Community Quarantine.

Photo by Dante Diosina Jr/Rappler

Metro Manila's current GCQ status is set to expire on October 31

The 17 mayors comprising the Metro Manila Council (MMC) recommended to the government’s coronavirus task force an extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila until the end of 2020.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia revealed the mayors’ recommendation on Monday, October 19.

Virus epicenter Metro Manila’s current GCQ status is set to expire on October 31.

Mas mahirap na i-MGCQ na hundred percent tsaka mo babawasan. Magkakaroon ng resistance, mahirap i-control – unlike kapag GCQ tayo tapos gradually tayo nag-a-adjust ng mga capacity,” said Garcia during a virtual press conference.

(It’s more difficult to do a full modified GCQ and then you tighten restrictions. When resistance builds up, it’s hard to control – unlike if we stay at GCQ and we gradually adjust capacities.)

Ito ay para tumakbo ang ekonomiya natin (This is so our economy can be revived),” he added.

In the same briefing, Garcia also said the MMC wants to reduce curfew hours in Metro Manila. From the current 10 pm to 5 am, mayors want the curfew shortened to 12 am to 4 am – with the exception of Navotas City, where curfew hours will stay from 8 pm to 5 am.

The adjusted curfew hours, Garcia said, would allow more customers to dine in at restaurants, which would benefit the economy.

Metro Manila residents aged 18 to 65 are also now allowed to go outside their homes – a stretch from the previous age restriction of 21 to 60 years old.

The Metro Manila mayors also recommended to the government task force increasing the allowed capacity in churches from the current 10% to 30%. 

As of Monday, the Philippines has 359,169 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 42,191 active cases. Researchers recently noted an “uptick” of cases in provincial hot spots, but not in Metro Manila. – Rappler.com

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