MMDA lengthens NCR curfew hours amid COVID-19 Delta variant threat

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) lengthened the curfew hours in the National Capital Region to 10 p.m. -4 a.m., from the previous 12 a.m.-4 a.m., starting July 25-Sunday due to an increase in the number of Metro Manila COVID-19 cases and to control the further transmission of the Delta variant.

The COVID-19 Delta Variant is highly contagious with an R Naught (R0), a measure of contagion or reproduction rate, of 5 to 8 "that may potentially trigger an exponential surge and local transmission in densely populated areas like the NCR,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said.

Abalos added that authorities needed to limit public movement.

"Since the Delta variant spreads exponentially, we should not let our guards down and implement necessary restrictions to contain the virus,” he said in a statement.

On Friday, a general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" was imposed on Metro Manila from July 23 to 31.

The Department of Health announced earlier that 17 more cases of the Delta variant were detected, bringing the total to 64.

At present, the Philippines reported a total of 1,537,097 confirmed cases, of which 1,455,137 have recovered and 26,891 have died. — DVM, GMA News