Month-long Metro Manila curfew starts March 15

Metro Manila mayors unanimously approved a resolution to impose a curfew in the National Capital Region to arrest the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will take effect from March 15 to April 14, in keeping with the community quarantine on Metro Manila, also known as National Capital Region (NCR), ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

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The curfew limits non-essential movement. Exempt are workers and those involved in essential services, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Jose Arturo Santillan Garcia Jr. in a press conference on March 14.

Those involved in logistics services are exempt. President Rodrigo Duterte in a memo to concerned officials issued this weekend had said: “The movement of cargoes to and from the NCR, or in such other places which may be the subject of a community quarantine, shall be unhampered.”

Violators of the curfew will not be arrested, said Garcia, but ordered to go home if their appointment is not important.

But Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said otherwise, noting that those who resist may face arrest.

Shopping malls

The MMDA also urged business establishments such as shopping malls to close down to limit movement of people during the quarantine period.

Some malls have already announced shortened hours: Robinson malls will close at 7pm beginning March 14; SM malls will also close at 7pm from March 15; and Ayala Malls Greenbelt, 8pm from March 16.

Meanwhile, Vista Mall cinemas will stop operations for two weeks starting March 15 to give way for disinfection.

Only groceries, pharmacies, banks, restaurants with home deliveries, and other essential establishments should be allowed to operate.

“The bottomline is people are advised to stay home. Kung wala kang gagawin (If you have nothing essential to do), stay home,” said Año.

Residents are still allowed to go out if they are getting groceries, food or medicines, he added.

Under the month-long community quarantine, land, domestic air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila will be banned with exemptions, mass gatherings prohibited, while those going out for basic necessities are required to observe a 1-meter radius from the next person.