Manila City under MECQ: Some businesses ordered shut again

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila City government has reminded the public that some industries in its jurisdiction were again asked to stop operations as the National Capital Region (NCR) reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

According to the local government unit’s Bureau of Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), among those disallowed to do business as MECQ prevails in the city are the following:

• hotels
• tourist destinations like waterparks, reservation services
• entertainment industries like cinemas, theaters, and karaoke bars
• kids’ amusement industries
• libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers
• gyms, fitness studios, sports facilities
• personal care services like massage parlors

BPLO, however, clarified that hotels that have guests with long-term bookings, those accommodating overseas Filipino workers and stranded Filipinos, returning Filipinos required to go on quarantine, and those servicing healthcare workers are exempted and thus, may continue operations despite MECQ.

BPLO likewise released a list of industries that are allowed 50 percent operation and full operation in the city, in compliance with the memorandum circular of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The list can be found here:

https://web.facebook.com/ManilaPIO/posts/920562298428460

President Rodrigo Duterte has again placed NCR and surrounding provinces Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna under MECQ as health workers appeal for a timeout amid continuously rising COVID-19 cases that have been taking a toll on the medical community.

As of August 5, the Philippines logged 115,980 coronavirus cases, including 2,123 deaths and 66,270 recoveries.

The Department of Health said there were 3,462 new cases reported on Wednesday and that the bulk of which are from four areas that are now under MECQ.

KGA