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IATF: NCR, Laguna on MECQ from Aug. 21 to 31, 2021


The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved to place the National Capital Region (NCR) and the province of Laguna under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) beginning August 21, 2021 until August 31, 2021, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Bataan will also be under MECQ from Aug. 23 until Aug. 31.

"These latest classifications are without prejudice to the strict implementation of granular lockdowns," said Roque in a statement.

The national government had imposed enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, center of the country's economy, for two weeks due to the threat of the highly contagious Delta variant. Laguna, likewise, was placed under ECQ until August 20.

Bataan was also under the strictest form of lockdown until Aug. 22. 

Prohibitions

Under MECQ, Roque said indoor, al fresco dine-in services are prohibited.

Roque added that personal care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas are not allowed in the metropolis, Laguna and Bataan.

Religious gatherings must also be limited to virtual activities, said Roque.

What's allowed in other quarantine classifications

Meanwhile, the Palace had published allowed and prohibited activities in other quarantine classifications.

For general community quarantine:

  • For these areas, outdoor sports but only non-contact sports are allowed
  • Lottery and horse racing with off-track betting stations are temporarily allowed
  • Indoor sports, venues and tourist attractions are allowed but only for 50% capacity
  • Venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions are allowed for 50%
  • Personal care services, such as salons, parlors, and beauty clinics can operate for 50% capacity
  • Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed for 50% capacity
  • Staycation in DOT-accredited accommodations are also allowed
  • Indoor dining can operate at 50% while outdoor dining can fully operate

For GCQ with some restrictions:

  • Only non-contact sports are allowed
  • Lottery and horse racing with off-track betting stations are temporarily allowed
  • Gyms and fitness centers are permitted to operate at 40% while indoor sports courts may be opened at 50% capacity
  • Indoor tourist attractions, specifically historical situated museums defined by DOT, are allowed for 40%
  • Meetings, conferences and exhibitions must also be at 40% capacity but if it will be used for social events, it must be limited to 10% capacity
  • For personal care services, 50% capacity is allowed for services not requiring mask removal. If the establishment has a Safety Seal, they may operate an additional 10% capacity
  • Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed at 50% capacity but with strict compliance to minimum public health protocols
  • Staycation hotels are allowed to operate for up to 100% venue capacity while other DOT-accredited establishments may operate at 30% capacity. There are also no age restrictions for these establishments as long as public health standards are followed
  • Indoor dining is allowed for 40% capacity while outdoor dining is allowed for 50%


For GCQ with heightened restrictions:

  • Personal care services to operate at 30% as long as they are not requiring mask removal but if the establishment has a Safety Seal, they may operate an additional 10% capacity
  • Outdoor tourist attractions are allowed in GCQ with heightened restrictions but only for 30% capacity
  • Staycation hotels are allowed to operate for up to 100% venue capacity while other DOT-accredited establishments may operate at 30% capacity. There are no age restrictions for staycations
  • Indoor dining is allowed for 20% while outdoor dining is allowed for 50%. Indoor dining may increase by 10% capacity if the establishment has Safety Seal
  • Lottery and horse racing with off-track betting stations are temporarily allowed
  • Non-contact sports are also allowed


For MGCQ:

  • Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiards, arcades and others are allowed
  • Traditional cockfighting is allowed except for e-sabong licensed and regulated by PAGCOR
  • Lottery is also allowed as well as horse betting
  • Non-contact sports, indoor non-contact sports are allowed.
  • Indoor tourist attractions, venues for meetings, conferences, outdoor tourist attractions, staycations, and DOT-accredited accommodations are allowed for 75%
  • Indoor dining, outdoor dining and personal care services may fully operate in these areas

—LDF, GMA News

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