Four cities in the National Capital Region are not automatically lifting restrictions against unvaccinated people, even though the NCR has already shifted to COVID-19 Alert Level 2, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos said on Tuesday.
In a press conference, Abalos said the ordinances of Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, and Pateros have no automatic lifting clause for restrictions against unvaccinated people.
“Four LGUs don’t have automatic lifting clause but three LGUs will be issuing a new executive order. These are Parañaque, Pasay, and Quezon City,” he said.
“Only Pateros will be left as they will still discuss the issue tomorrow (Wednesday),” Abalos added.
The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of the 17 mayors in the region, earlier agreed to restrict the mobility of unvaccinated people in the NCR under the Alert Level 3. These LGUs issued their respective ordinances on the matter.
Strict measures against unvaccinated individuals are still being imposed in Pasay City. On Tuesday, Mayor Imelda Rubiano issued an executive order limiting the movement of individuals unvaccinated against COVID-19 in the city.
Rubiano’s order stated that “unvaccinated persons, regardless of age, must remain at home, except as necessary to obtain essential goods and services, or when necessary for work in a permitted business as shown by a work ID or employer’s certificate.”
Those fully vaccinated are allowed to go outside residences provided that he or she should be able to present his or her vaccination card and valid identification prior to entry into the concerned establishment.
Rubiano’s directive also stated that a “person shall be deemed fully vaccinated upon completing the prescribed doses of COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks previously, as shown by a duly-issued vaccine card and a valid ID.”
The city government also imposed curfew hours on minors 17 years old and below from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., and granular lockdowns in some areas in Pasay.
Despite the shift to a more relaxed Alert Level 2, the Quezon City government on Tuesday reminded business establishments to continue enforcing health protocols.
QC retained the implementation of disciplinary hours for minors under Ordinance No. SP-2301 s. 2014, prohibiting them from loitering in public places from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The holding of gatherings for no specific purpose and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household is still prohibited.
Fully-vaccinated adults, and minors regardless of vaccination status, may enter establishments for essential or non-essential reasons such as dining, shopping, and watching movies.
Restaurants and other food establishments as well as personal services establishments, such as salons and barbershops, may provide services at up to 70 percent capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults, and minors regardless of vaccination status.
They can also accommodate guests up to 90 percent of their capacity outdoors regardless of age or vaccination status.
Religious gatherings are allowed for fully vaccinated adults, and for minors regardless of their vaccination status, for up to 70 percent capacity indoors and 90 percent capacity outdoors for all persons regardless of age or vaccination status.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) placed Metro Manila and seven provinces — Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal in Luzon; Biliran and Southern Leyte in the Visayas; and Basilan in Mindanao — under the less stringent Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 1.
In a Zoom meeting with reporters, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he sees no problem and will not cause confusion on the decision made by Mayor Rubiano, saying local government units can act on their own.
“Each local government unit has autonomous power, and for me I see no problem with that,” said Abalos.
Abalos explained that under Alert Level 3, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed subject to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities, as may be determined by the local government units.
He said 13 LGUs in Metro Manila automatically lifted the prohibition on the unvaccinated persons since the IATF came up with the new policy
placing NCR under Alert Level 2.
