Metro Manila continues easing Covid-19 restrictions

Authorities have announced Manila will come under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from September 8. It’s still unknown if casinos will reopen.

The Philippines.- Authorities in the Philippines have announced the capital city of Manila will ease Covid-19 countermeasures from September 8. The city will move from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to the more relaxed General Community Quarantine (GCQ), allowing more sectors to reopen.

Harry Roque, the presidential spokesperson, said GCQ will be implemented in Metro Manila because of its high immunisation rate compared with the rest of the country. Almost 45 per cent of Metro Manila inhabitants have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Roque said “granular” lockdowns, specifically targeting areas of outbreaks rather than putting the entire province under restrictions would help the economy recover.

Under MECQ, casinos in the Entertainment City zone remained closed. There have been no announcements yet on a possible reopening.

PAGCOR revenue to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022

Andrea Domingo, PAGCOR chairman, has said the casino industry in the Philippines could return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year if the country achieves herd immunity and borders restrictions are lifted.

She also predicted PAGCOR’s revenues could reach between PHP35bn (US$701.6m) to PHP38bn in 2021.

According to the Philippine Star, Domingo said: “I think we should be able to start recovering by September, but I do not know how fast because the world economy is really down. And you know when you are down, you do not spend money on entertainment and amusement as much as you would during good times.”