Metro Manila to shorten curfew hours, adjust quarantine age restrictions
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 19) — Metro Manila, except for Navotas City, will shorten curfew hours in line with the appeal of the Duterte administration.
Metro Manila Council and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Monday said curfew hours will be trimmed to 12 a.m. to 4 a.m., instead of the current 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. He added that Navotas City's curfew will remain at 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
RELATED: Navotas not keen on shortening curfew amid IATF appeal
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia said this proposal has been approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force "in principle" since the suggestion came from the Cabinet secretaries. Olivarez said mayors are set to amend local ordinances on curfew within the week.
During the meeting of Metro Manila mayors and several members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on Sunday, Olivarez said the local executives contested the easing of quarantine age restrictions, which allows persons aged 15 to 65 to go out.
He said only those between 18 to 65 years old can roam freely in the National Capital Region after the IATF approved the mayor's appeal to impose a slightly tighter restriction.
"We don't need local ordinance for age restrictions so it is ready for implementation," Olivarez said.
IATF Resolution No. 79, released on Oct. 16, stated local government units (LGUs) have the freedom to impose a higher age limit for minors.
The Duterte Cabinet previously appealed to LGUs to shorten curfew hours to allow businesses to thrive.
Christmas season
The local chief executives are also planning to make several adjustments during the Christmas season. The MMDA said the mayors are discussing further easing the curfew by Dec. 1 to allow devotees to attend Simbang Gabi.
Garcia said curfew may be eased to 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. to be able to hold more masses to avoid crowding inside churches, adding the guidelines may be issued by the end of November.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said LGUs may also opt to start curfew hours at 1 a.m. during the Christmas rush.
