NCR residents who are outside the region will not be allowed to return during ECQ —Eleazar

Metro Manila residents who are outside the region would not be allowed to return to their homes while enhanced community quarantine is in effect, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said Friday.

"Patapusin muna ang ECQ. Puwede na 'yun kung GCQ (general community quarantine) na," Eleazar told GMA News Online when asked if individuals will be barred from entering NCR even if they are residents of the region.

(They can return when ECQ is over, when it's already GCQ.)

At a press briefing earlier in the day, Eleazar said this was the reason why borders have been set up in NCR Plus.

"Maghihintay na sila ng after ng ECQ. In fact even last week noong nag-transition tayo from GCQ with heightened restrictions to GCQ with heightened and additional restrictions eh 'yun eh ni-launch natin, 'yung border, 'yung outer perimeter ng NCR Plus," Eleazar said.

(They should wait until after ECQ. That's the reason why we launched border control points when we transitioned from GCQ with heightened restrictions to GCQ with heightened and additional restrictions.)

The PNP chief, meanwhile, reiterated that those authorized persons outside residence or essential workers are allowed to enter NCR.

"Ayaw natin magkaroon ng exodus na lalabas at papasok dito except for those who belong to worker APOR na ina-allow natin pumasok," Eleazar said.

(We don't want people going in and out of Metro Manila, except for those worker APORs who are allowed to enter the region.)

Eleazar made the remark on the first day of ECQ in Metro Manila, which will last until August 20. The ECQ was imposed to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta variant.

Metro Manila Council chairman Edwin Olivarez said the first day of ECQ generally went well. —KBK, GMA News