Millions in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces on Saturday hunkered down for a fresh lockdown or ECQ from Monday, March 29 to Sunday, April 4, as authorities moved to cap a worrying surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) covers the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. The government placed the said areas under a GCQ Bubble on March 22. In four of the last seven days, however, the Philippines reported an all-time-high new number of cases.
"Ito po ay epektibo sa Lunes, March 29 at tatagal hanggang April 4," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
On Friday, nearly 10,000 new infections were confirmed and active cases breached the 100,000-mark. It was also around the same time in 2020 that Metro Manila and several urban areas were placed under ECQ.
Under the new guidelines, only businesses offering essential services or selling basic goods will be allowed to operate. Work-from-home setups are encouraged.
Leisure establishments should be closed and travel should be limited to essential ones only.
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