Cavite will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until October 31, Malacañang announced last Wednesday.
This is despite independent OCTA Research group’s observation of declining Delta variant-driven cases in CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon in recent weeks.
Cavite reported 158,663 total cases of the viral respiratory illness of which 2,850 are active as of October 15.
Hospital bed occupancy in the province is at 39.5% percent, while intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy is high risk at 64.18% percent.
MECQ Guidelines
The following areas are also placed under MECQ during the same period:
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Batanes
- Bulacan
- Bataan
- Rizal
- Laguna
- Naga City
- Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga del Norte
Under this quarantine status, persons below 18 years old and over 65 years old, those with co-morbidities, and pregnant women should stay at home, except for work, accessing essential goods and services, and during emergencies.
Mass gatherings are prohibited while religious gatherings will be allowed up to 10% of the venue capacity, but local government units (LGUs) may increase it up to 30%.
Individual outdoor exercises while wearing face masks are allowed within the place of residence.
Personal care services where face mask is kept all the times like salons, parlors, and nail spas are allowed up to 30% capacity. However, those that entail removing of face mask such as make-up salons and aesthetic centers are prohibited.
Other establishments and activities that are still not allowed are as follows:
- Indoor sports, gyms
- Indoor and outdoor tourist attractions
- Venues for meetings and conferences
- Staycation
- Entertainment and recreational venues
- Amusement parks and playgrounds
- Traditional cockpits and horse racing with OTB stations
In Cavite, Governor Jonvic Remulla last September limited mall operations from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and allowed 10% dine-in capacity for establishments inside but only for fully vaccinated customers.
READ: Cavite amends guidelines for mall operations during MECQ
NCR’s shift to Alert Level 3
Meanwhile, Metro Manila will be downgraded from Alert Level 4 to 3 from October 16 until the end of the month.
With this shift to a lower alert level, mobility is allowed with reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities to be determined by the local government units (LGUs).
Intrazonal and interzonal travel will also be permitted for those who are not required to stay at their homes, depending on the LGU of their destination.
Cinemas and theme parks are among the business establishments that will be allowed under alert level 3.
To know more about the guidelines under the new COVID-19 alert system in Metro Manila, read the latest IATF resolution here.
