Metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna and Bataan will be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month.
On Thursday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte decided to downgrade the community quarantine classification of the National Capital Capital Region starting Saturday upon the the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
This, after the government was able to expand the healthcare facilities in the NCR and also to significantly increase the number of fully vaccinated residents Covid-19.
NCR was placed under ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20, 2021 in an attempt to slow down the alarming surge in the number of infections in the region.
Duterte also approved the proposal to place Bataan and Laguna under MECQ beginning August 21, 2021 until August 31, 2021.
“These latest classifications are without prejudice to the strict implementation of granular lockdowns,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
While under MECQ, the local government units in the three areas are directed to improve their vaccination rates, Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategies, and observance and compliance to Minimum Public Health Standards.
Roque said the following activities will not be allowed in the said areas: indoor and al-fresco dine-in services and personal care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas.
He said only virtual religious gatherings will be allowed in NCR, Bataan and Laguna for the duration of the MECQ.