For the second straight year, millions in Metro Manila will be grounded for the Holy Week due to a GCQ bubble that will last until Easter Sunday.
The bubble, where only essential travel is allowed, extends to Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. While GCQ by name, the bubble carries additional restrictions aimed at arresting a surge in infections that resulted in record case numbers.
From March 22 to April 4, religious gatherings will be prohibited since these are considered mass gatherings. Weddings, baptisms and funerals will be limited to 10 people, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19.
The DOH issued a separate advisory, discouraging non-essential travel and appealing to the public to avoid crowds and wear face masks at home if they are not alone or living with vulnerable persons.
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Only those aged 18 to 65 can leave the house and they should be considered APOR or authorized person outside of residence. Otherwise, the IATF said they should bear a quarantine pass.
Throughout the GCQ bubble period, there will be a 10 p.m to 5 a.m. curfew. The following will also be closed: cinemas, gyms, driving schools, libraries, arcades, museums, cultural centers cockpit arenas.
Only outdoor dining will be allowed, otherwise, restaurants are limited to take out and deliveries.
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