Cabinet eyes shortened curfew

MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet officials have recommended a shorter curfew to be imposed by local government units (LGUs) to help boost the reopening of the economy.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Cabinet members had proposed that the curfew be set between midnight and 4 a.m., instead of the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. period being implemented by many LGUs.

“This is just a recommendation to [LGUs] since they are the ones that will enforce this through ordinances,” he said in an interview over PTV4. A longer curfew would mean longer operating hours for businesses.

Roque added that he would also ask the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to clarify its new policy on the age range of people allowed to leave their houses amid the general community quarantine.

In a presentation approved by the IATF, the ages listed as examples were from 15 to 65 years old, he noted.

Roque said he would seek a clarification but added that what was certain was more people would be allowed to go out.

‘Staycationers’ allowed

At the moment, only those age 21 to 60 years old are permitted to leave their homes.Meanwhile, 10 four- to five-star hotels in Metro Manila have been allowed to admit “staycationers” who will be required to submit rapid antigen tests to show that they are free of the coronavirus.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT)-National Capital Region office, Hyatt Regency and Nuwa Hotel at the City of Dreams complex in Parañaque City are the latest to be issued certificates of authority to operate for staycation (CAOS).

Also issued certificates earlier were Grand Hyatt Manila and Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City; Makati Shangri-La in Makati; Edsa Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City; Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites in Pasig City; Solaire Resort, Okada Manila and Nobu Hotel, also in Parañaque.

According to the DOT guidelines, only hotels and accommodation establishments with four- or five-star rating accredited by the department and not currently in use as quarantine or isolation facilities may be given a CAOS.

—With a report from Jerome Aning