Manila market crowding prompts Isko Moreno to issue schedule restrictions

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has issued schedule restrictions on Blumentritt market on getting reports that shoppers had been crowding the area in violation of the government’s physical distancing measures enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Moreno on Tuesday, different schedules will be placed for Manila and non-Manila residents, to limit the flow of people in the area.

Under the new regulations, Manila residents are allowed to enter the market from 5:00 a.m. to noon, while non-Manila residents can access stores from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Blumentritt market, as Moreno noted, is near the boundary of Manila with Quezon City and Caloocan.

“As a good neighbor, Manila will continue to allow to enter so that you can shop for all your needs,” Moreno said, referring to residents of those neighboring cities.

Meanwhile, wholesalers would be allowed to enter the Blumentritt market from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Previously, photos and video clips from a Radyo Inquirer report showed crowds swelling within Blumentritt market, despite enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) regulations forcing people to stay at home.

Blumentritt is one of Manila’s busiest marketplaces, as it is accessible to residents from Manila’s neighbor cities.

Before the ECQ, Blumentritt market vendors stretched up to Rizal Avenue, near the Light Rail Transit and Philippine National Railway stations.

As of this writing, Manila has registered 344 COVID-19 cases.

According to the Department of Health, there are now 5,223 infected patients nationwide — 335 of whom have already died and 295 have recovered.

Worldwide, over 1.9 million individuals have been infected, of whom 119,700 have died and 449,472 have recovered.

/atm