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Workers struggle to go to work in Metro Manila on first Monday under MECQ


Expecting delays due to traffic and checkpoints, many workers left home early on the first Monday under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to get to their jobs in Metro Manila.

Since no public mass transportation is allowed, workers struggled to get to work by walking, bicycling or riding on motorcycles or private vehicles.

Marcos Highway

Some even walked from Antipolo, Rizal to Cubao, Quezon City, according to GMA News' James Agustin.

A couple of construction workers said they began walking from their homes in Cogeo and Masinag to get to Cubao.

 

 

 

 

Before sunrise, long lines of vehicles were already seen on Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal near a checkpoint where police and soldiers check motorists' and passengers' documents.

 

 

 

The traffic became heavier before 6 a.m. on Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal going toward Marikina, Pasig and Quezon City in Metro Manila.

 

 

 

It became almost standstill past 7 a.m.

 

Ortigas Avenue Extension

The situation was also the same on Ortigas Avenue Extension before 8 a.m., according to Super Radyo dzBB reporter Mark Makalalad.

 

 

SLEX

Meanwhile at the Filinvest portion of the South Luzon Expressway, the northbound traffic toward Metro Manila was heavy starting 6 a.m. as motorists fell in line to go through the checkpoint, according to GMA News reporter Mai Bermudez on Unang Balita.

Soldiers and police officers took motorists' and passengers' body temperature and checked their documents to see if they are authorized persons outside residence (APOR).

 

 

A priority lane has been designated for vehicles transporting basic goods and frontline service workers.

The toll fees for vehicles for frontline services are waived.

Meanwhile, motorists who were found to be non-APOR were advised to turn back and not go through the checkpoint.

Batasan-San Mateo Road

A long line of vehicles also formed before the checkpoint at the boundary of San Mateo, Rizal and Quezon City on the Batasan-San Mateo Road before 7 a.m. on Monday, according to a report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV.

 

 

Authorities asked motorists one by one if they have rapid pass, travel pass or if they are APOR, and if they are APOR and have the necessary documents, they were allowed to go through.

Their body temperatures were also checked.

Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga including Angeles City, Zambales, and Laguna have been placed under MECQ from May 16 to 31 after almost two months under the strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Cebu City and Mandaue City in Cebu Province are under ECQ effective May 16.

Rizal and the rest of the country, on the other hand, have been placed under the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 16.

The quarantines have been imposed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Under the MECQ, more business establishments have been allowed to reopen, gatherings are limited to five people and government offices were allowed to implement skeleton workforce or work from home arrangements. —KG, GMA News

Tags: news, mecq, mecqtraffic, mecqtransportation, modifiedenhancedcommunityquarantine
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