UPDATE (August 19, 2020): A unified curfew from 8PM to 5PM will now be implemented in Metro Manila.
We begin the month of June by entering into the General Community Quarantine phase in Metro Manila. In GCQ, we shift into a less strict form of ‘lockdown’ to help our economy, while remaining safe and secure.
This change of quarantine status can be confusing and raise a lot of questions, so we’ve rounded up the important rules on Travel and Out-of-Home Activities that we all need to follow.
OUT OF HOME ACTIVITIES
Important rules to remember whenever you step outside your home
- Malls and shopping centers are now allowed to operate, but only in a limited capacity. Leisure establishments are still prohibited from opening during GCQ as well. Take note that people aged below 21 and over 60 cannot enter malls and stores unless they’re there to obtain essential goods and services.
- Dining in restaurants is still not allowed. Restaurants will only be open for take-outs and deliveries.
- Amusement parks, gaming and fitness establishments as well as those in the kids and tourism industries are not allowed to operate during GCQ.
- Individual Outdoor Physical Activities – which include jogging, outdoor walks, cycling, and running – are allowed in areas under GCQ. However, people must still exercise safety precautions, wear masks, and observe physical distancing.
- Mass gatherings are still prohibited, but essential work gathering and religious activities may continue as long as social distancing (2-meter distance) will be implemented. People are also required to wear face masks, face shields, and other facial protective equipment for their safety. Masses and religious services are advised to be done online.
- Movie screenings, concerts, and sports events are still prohibited.
- Barber shops and hair salons will be allowed to operate again starting June 7. Their services, however, will be limited to hair cutting services and with a skeletal workforce up to 50% operational capacity. High contact services like manicures and pedicures is prohibited.
TRAVEL AND COMMUTE
Planning to travel outside your city, or booking a flight soon? Read these guidelines first.
- Traveling to another city via land transport is allowed for non-leisure purposes.
- Public transportation vehicles are allowed but with limits. Trains, bus augmentation units, ride-hailing cars, taxis, P2P buses, shuttle services, tricycles, and bicycles operating within Metro Manila may operate with limited passenger capacity. Jeepneys and ride-hailing motorcycles are still not allowed. A one-meter physical distance between passengers will be enforced.
- For private vehicles, only one passenger can occupy the front passenger seat of a car, while the front-facing seats must only be occupied by up to two passengers per row. Backride passengers on private motorcycles are still not allowed.
- Transferring houses is allowed, just keep in mind that wearing face masks and practicing physical distancing are necessary.
- People authorized to leave their homes are no longer required to bring their Quarantine Pass under GCQ, but local government units may still require it for select barangays.
- The Travel Pass is still needed when crossing provincial borders.
- Acquiring a Travel Pass: one must secure a certification from their barangay captain stating that the person has not showed any COVID-19 symptoms at least 14 days before the travel request. This will serve as an endorsement for the city or municipal health office to conduct a medical examination. Once a medical clearance is secured, it can be submitted to the barangay captain or to the help desk of the municipal or city police station for processing of travel authority. The person will be notified once the travel pass is ready for pick-up. It can also be sent via e-mail and messaging apps.
- For employees traveling due to work, a company ID will suffice as a travel pass.
- Domestic flights are allowed between GCQ areas.
- International travel for leisure and tourism purposes is not allowed. Passengers must meet a certain criteria and must comply with the regulations of both their country of origin and destination to be permitted access to international flights. Click here for additional information.
ALSO READ:
AirAsia, CebuPac, PAL Resume Flights Under GCQ This June
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For a full list of guidelines for GCQ, visit https://www.covid19.gov.ph/ecq-gcq-guidelines/. View and download the official Community Quarantine guidelines in PDF here.
