By Arabella Rochynne C. Asis 

National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna, also known as ‘NCR Plus,’ will be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to a recent spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, Malacañang announced Saturday.

The strictest quarantine measure will be effective beginning Monday, March 29 until April 4.

In a virtual presser, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Prior to this announcement, NCR and the four mentioned provinces were put in a ‘bubble’ in order to prevent the surge. 

Earlier today, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 9,595 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, bringing the total tally to 712,442. As of writing, it has 118,112 active cases. 

In accordance with the guidelines of ECQ, curfew hours will now be from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and people aged 18 years old below and above 65 years old are not allowed to go out. Indoor dining will not be allowed and only essential stores will remain open.

“Samantala, mananatiling bukas ang ating mga malls para sa mga essential stores gaya ng groceries, pharmacies, and hardware stores (Meanwhile,our malls will remain open for essential stores like groceries, pharmacies, and hardware stores)” Roque said.

Roque added, “Ang mga restaurants ay pinahihintulutan magbukas para sa take-out and delivery. Kahit ano na pong dine in, maski al fresco, hindi na po pwede (Restaurants are allowed to open for take-out and delivery [services]. Whatever kind of dine in, even al fresco, is not allowed).”

However, Roque assured that the public transportation system will continue to operate with compliance to the guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). 

This is not the first time that the country will experience ECQ. In March 2020, the national government placed the entire Luzon under ECQ to curb the spread of the disease. 

(Photo by Alyssa Andrea Quioge/FEU Advocate)

EDITOR'S NOTE: To know more details, watch the full virtual presser through this link.