‘Heightened restrictions’ still in effect under GCQ

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) status over the NCR (National Capital Region) Plus bubble until June 15 retains the “heightened restrictions” imposed on the areas comprising Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said all entertainment, recreation and leisure venues, indoor sports facilities and indoor tourist attractions would remain closed. But noncontact sports such as golf and football scrimmages as well as the lottery and horse racing are allowed.

Venues for meetings, conferences and exhibitions may open up to 30-percent capacity. But if the venue is used for social events, the maximum capacity is reduced to 10 percent unless the venue has the government’s safety seal.

The venue capacity for beauty parlors and clinics is 40 percent if the services do not require mask removal. An additional 10-percent capacity is allowed if the facility has the government’s safety seal.

Indoor dining is allowed up to 30 percent, with an additional 10 percent if the restaurant has the safety seal.

Leisure travel

Outdoor tourist attractions may accommodate up to 30-percent capacity but subject to minimum public health standards, Roque said.

For weddings, baptisms and wakes, the maximum capacity is 30 percent, although local governments may increase this up to 50 percent.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday said leisure travel for all ages was now allowed between the NCR Plus area and destinations under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

But travel between these areas is limited to point-to-point destinations, which means there will be no side trips, although stopovers are allowed.

The DOT also said all travelers would undergo swab tests before their trips.

The President also approved a recommendation to place 13 other areas under GCQ for the whole month of June. These are Baguio City, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City.

Virus case update

Areas under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine until June 15 are Santiago City in Isabela, Cagayan, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Puerto Princesa City, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and Agusan del Sur.

The rest of the country is under MGCQ until June 30.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said it recorded 5,177 new COVID-19 infections, which brought the country’s total to 1,235,467 cases.

In its daily case bulletin, the DOH said 46 people died, pushing total fatalities to 21,012. Meanwhile, 6,230 new recoveries raised the total number of survivors to 1,161,252. INQ