24/7 Food Deliveries Allowed in Metro Manila Despite GCQ Curfew

Food deliveries are allowed 24/7 in Metro Manila during the strict GCQ and riders are exempted from the region-wide curfew, authorities said Thursday.

Restaurants and fast-food chains can also operate for 24 hours, Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia told reporters. Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez earlier said workers in food establishments and those that are allowed to operate under GCQ are exempted from the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Mayors will determine the dine-in capacity of the restaurants, officials said.

Mayor Isko Moreno was among the first to authorize 24/7 takeout and delivery services for restaurants and food establishments to meet customer demand and help businesses stay afloat during the general community quarantine.

"We must learn to live while there is COVID-19, and at the same time, we must learn to go back to work safely. Life and livelihood must be addressed together for us to survive this battle," Mayor Isko Moreno said in a Facebook post.

Operations are still limited at 30% capacity. Staff and clients must adhere to health protocols and wear face masks and face shields, observe social distance, and disinfect frequently.

Metro Manila was placed under GCQ until Aug. 31 after a strict two-week quarantine or ECQ. Under GCQ, more businesses are allowed to reopen and employees can report to work physically.

Earlier, Metro Manila mayors agree on a region-wide 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. However, frontliners, employees, and persons authorized to be out of their homes can go out for work provided that they present their company ID.

This story originally appeared on Reportr.World. Minor edits have been made by Esquiremag.ph editors.