Manila general community quarantine extended until June 30

The Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, has announced that general community quarantine (GCQ) in Manila will remain until the end of June.

The Philippines.- Metro Manila will remain under the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) until June 30, with some restrictions.

The Philippines’ president announced that 12 provinces and nine cities will be under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and the rest of the country under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Metro Manila has shortened its curfew to run from midnight to 4am. The shorter curfew will allow people more time to visit malls, travel and eat outside. The measure was taken to help the economy, which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

GCQ allows only essential travel in and out of Metro Manila. Public transportation will operate at reduced capacity. Casinos were allowed to resume operating at a reduced capacity in May.

In May, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) remitted Php1.35bn (US$28.3m) to the National Treasury bringing the total remitted this year to Php3bn.

PAGOR‘s revenue for 2020 was US$624m, down 60.4 per cent year-on-year and the lowest for at least seven years. The Covid-19 pandemic deeply affected casino revenues due to several lockdowns.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said: “After more than a year into the pandemic, PAGCOR is still doing its best to fulfil our mandate and commitment to nation-building. 

“We may be in a very challenging time, but we are all in this together. Because of PAGCOR’s prudent use of funds and continuous effort to generate revenues, can to help fund necessary government programs amidst the crisis.”

In order to increase revenue, PAGCOR has allowed three Integrated Resorts – Okada Manila Resort, Solaire Resort and Casino and Resorts World Manila – to offer online table games and slots.