Manila allows 24/7 food takeout, delivery services under GCQ

The Manila government has allowed food establishments in the city to offer 24/7 takeout or delivery service under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed Executive Order No. 35 allowing such operations as part of efforts to "slowly open the economy in the city" amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on livelihoods.

"The City of Manila sees the need to slowly open the economy in the city, particularly in the food and restaurant industry and to balance this with the demand from the general public, which may serve as stimulus of economic growth," Moreno said in the EO.

Moreno said the food establishments are allowed to operate beyond the curfew hours "provided that it shall cater only to those authorized persons outside of residence."

As Manila is under GCQ, restaurants are allowed to operate at 30% venue capacity with strict compliance to minimum public health standards like social distancing and wearing of face masks and face shields.

President Rodrigo Duterte, upon the recommendation of the COVID-19 task force, has placed Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal back to GCQ after a 15-day modified enhanced community quarantine. —KBK, GMA News