NCR shifts to MECQ on Aug. 21 — Roque

The National Capital Region and Laguna will be downgraded to the less stringent lockdown classification of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 21 to 31 according to palace spokesman Harry Roque.

Roque said indoor and al-fresco dine-in services, and personal care services including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas will still not be allowed in NCR, Laguna and Bataan. Religious services “shall remain virtual” in NCR, Bataan, and Laguna.

Metro Manila was earlier placed under enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20 in light of the growing number of cases due to the entry of the more transmissible Delta variant.

Today, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 14,895 new COVID-19 infections, the second highest daily number since the pandemic began. The DOH said there are now 111,720 active cases in the country, with a positivity rate of 23%, which pertains to how many tested positive for the disease out of the total tested.

Roque said that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases also approved to place Bataan under MECQ starting Aug. 23 to 31.

“The latest classifications are without prejudice to the strict implementation of granular lockdowns,” Roque said

Roque added that “local government units of the aforementioned areas are directed to improve their vaccination rates, Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrated strategies, and observance and compliance to minimum public health standards.” (Bim Santos)

(Banner and thumbnail photo: Fewer motorists drive through EDSA in Mandaluyong City on the morning of Aug. 7 following the reimplementation of ECQ in Metro Manila which only allows Authorized Persons Out of Residence (APOR) inter-city travel. Miguel de Guzman / The Philippine STAR)