The reimposition of a curfew in Metro Manila is "temporary" and is meant to avoid surge in COVID-19 cases during the GCQ or looser quarantine, Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez said Thursday.
People working in industries that are allowed during GCQ, those called APOR or Authorized Persons Outside of Residence by the police, are exempted from the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, as long as they are on their way home, Lopez said.
Restaurant workers, for example, can commute past the curfew. Workers on the way home can also eat out until 8 p.m., Lopez said. Authorities earlier advised APORs to bring their IDs with them.
The GCQ, declared by the national government, will last until Aug. 31, after which it will be reassessed. Curfews are imposed through city or municipal ordinances so there could be some differences depending on where you are.
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"Masyadong maaga ang 8 p.m. pero temporary lang naman. Karamihan APOR din, sila din in effect ay makakakain din hanggang 8 p.m. kung bukas pa restaurant at uuwi sila kahit lagpas curfew allowed sila dahil worker sila," Lopez told Teleradyo.
(Eight o'clock could be too early, but it's temporary. Many are APORs who can eat out until 8 p.m. if the restaurant is still open and they are on their way home. They are allowed, even if past curfew, because they are workers.)
The strict form of GCQ is in effect only in Metro Manila, authorities said. Mayors sought "closer coordination" to gradually reopen the economy and ease into the second lowest quarantine, Lopez said. Before the GCQ, the capital region and its suburbs endured two weeks of MECQ, the second strictest quarantine.
"Ang dine-in naman at least allowed ngayong GCQ, pati yung mga salons. Pero sa usapan na rin namin, iniwan na rin sa kanila yung pag-decide kung ano yung nararapat na operating capacity sa kanilang lugar," Lopez said.
(Dine-in is allowed under GCQ, also salons. We left it to the mayors to decide the operating capacity in their areas.)
"In principle gusto lang din nilang masigurado na merong physical distancing ma-o-observe at all times sa mga restaurants located sa kanilang mga lugar kaya yun po ang adjustment."
(In principle they just want to ensure physical distancing is observed in the restaurants located in their area. That's the adjustment.)
