Metro Manila under general community quarantine for March

Metro Manila, along with nine other areas in The Philippines, will be under general community quarantine for the whole of March.

The Philippines.- President Rodrigo Duterte has announced that general community quarantine (GCQ) measures will remain in force until March 31 in Metro Manila and nine other areas.

According to guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, casinos and leisure establishments will remain affected. That includes venues in Manila’s Entertainment City.

The other areas that see Covid-19 countermeasures extended are: Baguio City, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City and Lanao Del Sur.

The extension of restrictions was based on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

The Philippines has reported over 571,327 coronavirus infections, with 12,247 deaths and 524,582 recoveries.

Metro Manila’s Entertainment City is home to large-scale private-sector casino resorts.

Philippine countermeasures against Covid-19

According to the Philippine Department of Health, general community quarantine (GCQ) is less stringent than enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which restricts all forms of transportation, non-essential businesses and prohibits mass gatherings.

Under general community quarantine, public transportation is allowed at a reduced capacity and select businesses are allowed to operate at 50 to 100 per cent of their regular capacity depending on their industry.

Casino resorts have been permitted to operate at reduced capacity during periods of general community quarantine in Metro Manila