Manila City issues implementing rules on granular lockdown starting Sept 16

Manila City’s implementing guidelines on granular lockdown.

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Manila on Wednesday released the implementing guidelines on granular lockdowns which are set to begin on September 16.

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed Executive Order (EO) No. 28, a reiteration of the national government’s guidelines on the pilot implementation of the Alert Level system to mitigate the spread and effects of COVID-19.

“The authority to impose granular lockdown shall be exercised by the city mayor with respect to his component barangays subject to the concurrence of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force, and individual houses where one household member has been confirmed, residential buildings, streets, blocks, puroks, subdivisions, and/or villages within their jurisdiction,” the local EO reads.

Under the EO and the national government’s guidelines, a granular lockdown shall last for a period of not less than 14 days and shall take effect immediately.

The Manila City directive also tasks the Manila Health Department to report to the Department of Interior and Local Government details of the city’s granular lockdown.

Assistance to affected individuals shall likewise be provided by the local government, barangay, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, according to Moreno’s EO No. 28.

Members of the Manila Police Department will likewise ensure peace and order during the duration of the Alert Level 4 implementation, it also says.

Curfew hours in the City of Manila will be from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. while a liquor ban will also be imposed in the nation’s capital city.

Restrictions will be eased in areas outside communities under a granular lockdown including allowing al fresco dining at 30 percent capacity while fully vaccinated persons may be permitted to enjoy indoor dining which should be at 10 percent capacity.

Personal care services — barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, and beauty salons — will also be allowed at 30 percent capacity if done outdoors, but only at 10 percent capacity if done indoors.

Religious gatherings, meanwhile, may be held at 30 percent venue capacity if outdoors and only at 10 percent if conducted indoors. Indoor gatherings may likewise be allowed provided that only persons fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are accommodated.

The national government has placed Metro Manila under general community quarantine or GCQ Alert Level 4 from September 16-30.

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