Philippines again bans gyms, internet cafes under GCQ

The Philippines’ COVID-19 task force once again barred gyms and internet cafes from operating in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision was made even before Metro Manila and nearby provinces shifted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on August 4. Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal will be under the less stringent GCQ from August 19 to 31.

“On gyms, it was deferred in the Cabinet meeting called by the Executive Secretary preparatory to our meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte where it was decided to give in to the demand of frontliners. Included too were internet cafes,” Roque said

“This meeting superseded the IATF resolution approving [the reopening of] gyms and internet cafes.”

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier allowed the partial reopening of gyms and internet cafes in GCQ areas beginning August 1.

Earlier in the day, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said business establishments such as gyms, which were previously closed when Metro Manila and its nearby provinces reverted to MECQ, will be allowed to resume operations.

Other areas placed under GCQ were Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province.

The rest of the Philippines will be under modified general community quarantine until the end of the month. -NB, GMA News