NCR mayors agree on 8 pm to 5 am unified curfew — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have agreed to impose a unified 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in the entire capital region, Malacañang said Wednesday.

“I  understand that the mayors voted and there was a majority that the curfew hourse should be 8 (p.m.) to 5 (a.m.),” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ The Source.

The COVID-19 outbreak epicenter Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal eased into general community quarantine Wednesday after a 2-week modified lockdown to give healthworkers a “breather.”

Roque added that the GCQ until August 31 will be “stricter” this time with more restrictions on businesses like gyms, internet cafes, dine-in restaurants, and salons.

According to Roque, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 also approved the recommendations of the Metro Manila mayors to ban gyms, internet cafes, tutorial and review centers.

Dine-in restaurants, as well as salons, are allowed but the local government will decide whether to allow either 30% or 50% occupancy.

Meanwhile, mass gatherings will only be allowed up to 10 people, including religious services, the Palace official said.

As of Tuesday, there are 169,213 total COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 112,861 recoveries and 2,687 deaths.

More than half or 94,842 cases were recorded from Metro Manila.

EDV