Manila: Sixteen (16) areas in Metro Manila (also known as the National Capital Region, NCR) have been placed under "granular lockdown” due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, the police announced on Tuesday.
The decision was based on a vote by mayors of the NCR. Based on police data, 14 of those areas were reported by the Northern Police District; one each was reported by Manila Police District and Southern Police District.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) of Mimaropa reported that six areas in its jurisdiction are under granular lockdown while PRO-Cordillera said it has one area under granular lockdown, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Nationwide, the PNP said, 23 areas are now under granular lockdown due to the new coronavirus infection. The PNP, however, did not list the 23 areas.
Local transmission of Omicron confirmed
The country has reported a huge jump in new COVID-19 cases following the relaxed COVID curbs during the recent holidays. Morever, the country has reported a few cases of locally-transmitted Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, Quezon City, a sprawling Manila suburb, Unvaccinated individuals will be restricted from going out, unless necessary, as the capital goes under Alert Level 3, according to the state-owned Philippine News Agency.
Under the 2022 Guidelines for Alert Level 3, residents are encouraged to stay at home and limit their activities outside while unvaccinated individuals have more restrictions.
Restaurants, malls, cinemas, and even churches will not allow the unvaccinated.
Restaurants, kiosks, commissaries, eateries, resto-bars, and other food establishments may provide indoor dine-in services at up to 30 percent capacity, and outdoor dine-in at 50 percent capacity, only for fully vaccinated persons. Employees of the establishment should also be fully vaccinated.
Barbershops, salons, and hair or nail care facilities, as well as aesthetic clinics, cosmetic or dermatological clinics, wellness spas, and massage therapy facilities, and churches or places of worship will apply the same rules.
Religious ministers and their assistants conducting services must also be fully vaccinated and the establishments should appoint a safety officer who will check on the vaccine cards and identification (ID) documents of attendees.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated persons may engage in outdoor non-contact exercises and sports like jogging, biking, golf, badminton, tennis, and swimming for up to 50 percent outdoor capacity, subject to safe physical distancing.
“However, unvaccinated persons shall be allowed to engage in such activities only within the general area of their residence,” the guidelines state.
Local and city officials are allowed to issue ordinance violation receipts once they determine that it is loitering, instead of actual exercise activities. Establishments must require both vaccination card and ID.
