Caloocan LGU says color-coded quarantine passes still required during MECQ

The Caloocan City government announced over the weekend it would still require color-coded quarantine passes during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) currently in effect in Metro Manila.

This is part of measures to control the number of people going out in order to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19, the local government unit (LGU) said.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan said the quarantine pass will have to be presented when purchasing essential goods or going to establishments allowed to operate during MECQ.

"Nasa desisyon ng LGU ito. Hanggat hindi natin binabawi ang ating kautusan hinggil sa paggamit ng quarantine pass ay patuloy pa rin ang implementasyon nito," the mayor said.

(This is the decision of the LGU. Until we issue an order to the contrary, the requirement to use the quarantine pass will still be implemented.)

Malapitan also told residents that although the quarantine status in Metro Manila was downgraded from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the strictest measure, to the less strict MECQ, the stay-at-home policy for unauthorized persons outside residence will still be strictly implemented.

The mayor asked residents for their cooperation so as not to waste the efforts and sacrifice that have so far been done to address the threat of COVID-19.

"Ang simpleng pagtiyak natin na ang ating mga anak ay nasa loob ng ating mga tahanan ay malaking tulong sa ating kapulisan at maging sa ating pamahalaang lokal. Muli, magtulungan tayo laban sa COVID-19," he said.

(The simple act of making sure our children stay at home is already a big help to our police force and LGU. Again, let us help each other in battling COVID-19.)

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos on Friday announced that the quarantine pass is no longer required in the National Capital Region (NCR) under MECQ.

From ECQ, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed the NCR under MECQ starting August 21, 2021, until August 31, 2021, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Under MECQ, indoor and al fresco dine-in services are still prohibited.

Personal care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas are likewise not allowed. Religious gatherings must also be limited to virtual activities. —KG, GMA News