NCR Plus placed under GCQ “with heightened restrictions” from May 15 to 31

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, May 13, 2021, approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to place Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, also known as “NCR Plus,” under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from May 15 to 31, 2021.

Presidential Spokesperson Roque said under GCQ with heightened restrictions,

> only “essential travel into and out of the NCR Plus” will be allowed

 

> interzonal travel from NCR Plus areas, except those conducted by Authorized Persons Outside Residence, will remain prohibited in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions

 

> public transportation shall remain operational at such capacities and protocols in accordance with the Department of Transportation guidelines while the use of active transportation shall be promoted

 

> only individuals aged 18 to 65 can leave their homes while NCR Plus is under stricter GCQ

 

> Entertainment venues like bars, concert halls and theaters, recreational venues, such as internet cafes, billiards halls, arcades, amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides, indoor sports courts and venues, indoor tourist attractions, venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions will not be allowed in NCR Plus

 

> religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 in NCR Plus will be allowed up to 10 percent of the venue capacity

 

> indoor dine-in services in NCR Plus shall be at 20 percent venue or seating capacity while outdoor or al fresco dining shall be at 50 percent venue or seating capacity

 

> outdoor tourist attractions in NCR Plus may be opened at 30 percent with “strict” adherence to minimum public health standards

 

> non-contact sports, games, scrimmages held outdoors; personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, and beauty clinics, at 30 percent capacity

 

> specialized markets of the Department of Tourism, on conditions that minimum public health standards will be followed and protocols set by the Tourism department will be implemented

Other Areas

Apart from NCR Plus, the quarantine classification in Abra was also downgraded from MECQ to GCQ.

The MECQ status was, however, retained in the City of Santiago in Isabela, Zamboanga City, Quirino, and Ifugao.

Duterte said the four areas would remain under MECQ until end of May following local governments’ concerns over the spike in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) within their localities.

GCQ is imposed in Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Iligan City, Davao City, Lanao del Sur, and Puerto Princesa City until May 31.

The rest of the country remains under the least restrictive modified GCQ (MGCQ) for the whole month of May.