Citing the breathing space afforded to the health system by strict quarantines, Malacañang said COVID-19 restrictions in the Metro Manila bubble could be eased further for the second half of June.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal could be placed under "ordinary" general community quarantine or GCQ starting June 16 as the country rolls out more COVID-19 vaccines.
"I would say in fact that based on the figures, Metro Manila Plus might be looking at a deescalation. It might not be to MGCQ [modified GCQ] but it could be ordinary GCQ because ang GCQ natin ngayon ay meron pang restrictions,” he said in a Palace briefing.
There had been some easing of restrictions since June 1 including the return of leisure travel, and the lifting of COVID-19 testing requirement for hotel staycations.
But should the shift to "ordinary" GCQ push through, the following restrictions in the prevailing GCQ could be altered and relaxed further:
1. Prohibition on the operations of the following:
- Entertainment venues such as bars and theaters
- Recreational venues such as internet cafes and arcades
- Amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds
- Cockfighting
2. The limited 30% operational capacity of:
- Dine-in services for restaurants
- Venues for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions
- Outdoor tourist attractions
- Religious services, weddings, wakes, and funerals
3. The limited 40% operational capacity of personal care services such as spas, salons, and barbershops.
GCQ is the second most relaxed community quarantine level in a four-tier system adopted by the Philippines.
Since May, the National Economic Development Authority has been pushing for the further relaxation of the quarantine in Metro Manila--which accounts for two-thirds of the country's gross domestic product alone--to rise from the economic slump.
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