Metro Manila mayors mull easing curfew in NCR

Metro Manila mayors are considering easing the curfew in the capital region to allow longer business hours amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the mayors are talking about easing the current curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.

“Mas maganda na paigtingin natin ‘yong ating curfew para tuloy-tuloy na ‘yong ating pagbaba noong ating COVID, kasi kapag nawala ‘yong curfew, extended, maglalabasan ‘yong mga youth na makikita natin sa kalsada,” Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said.

Aside from the curfew, the mayors are also considering easing the age bracket and allowing 18 to 65 year-olds to go out.

“Unang-una, makakatulong ‘yon sa ating pagbubukas ng negosyo, malaking tulong ‘yon sa ating mga businesses at the same time, ‘yong mga age rin madadagdagan, ‘yong age bracket para naman makalabas sila (para makabili) sa kanilang pangangailangan,” Olivarez said.

However, Olivarez said they will still monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila before easing curfew hours.

The cases of COVID-19 in the country reached 342,816 on Monday with 293,152 recoveries and 6,332 deaths.

Metro Manila still recorded the highest number of new infections at 1,344 this is followed by Cavite with 215, Laguna with 212, Rizal with 211, and Iloilo with 164.  -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News