MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will still require residents to present their quarantine passes when entering establishments even as Metro Manila eased into the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ).
According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the directive aims to ensure that individuals who are outside of their residence are only getting essentials or going to work.
Aside from quarantine passes, QC residents can also present their company identification cards.
“Kailangan nang magpakita ng quarantine pass o company ID bago payagang pumasok sa mga establisimyento sa ating siyudad. Ito’y upang matiyak na walang lalabas ng tahanan para lang gumala,” said Belmonte.
“Kung hindi naman kailangang lumabas, manatili na lang tayo sa loob ng ating mga tahanan upang maiwasan ang virus,” she added.
Among the establishments covered by the guidelines are commercial buildings, markets, and shopping centers.
Those doing non-contact and non-group outdoor exercises such as running, bicycling, tennis, badminton and golf, are also required to show their quarantine passes.
The mayor also reminded barangays that they can issue up to two quarantine passes per household.
Meanwhile, high-risk individuals or those below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, and pregnant women will not be allowed to enter malls and shopping centers.
However, they may enter when indispensable for work or for obtaining essential goods and services, but they must present their quarantine passes or work IDs.
Malls and shopping centers are also prohibited from providing any public Wi-Fi services to customers to discourage loitering.
As of Thursday, Quezon City has the most number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases nationwide with 17,302 confirmed infections.
QC cases represent 17 percent of the total COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, the epicenter of the outbreak in the country.