Metro Manila mayors agree on month-long curfew

Seventeen Metro Manila mayors agreed to impose a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one month, from March 16 to April 14, as part of COVID-19 containment efforts.

Malabon City Council has passed an ordinance imposing a city-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting March 16.

During curfew hours, only essential personnel like health workers, delivery services, public transport, peace and order personnel, nightshift employees, and emergency cases are allowed outside.

Violators of the curfew in Malabon will face fines starting at P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second, and P2,000 for subsequent offenses.

The Department of Interior and Local Government noted that local government units cannot immediately impose curfews as ordinances must first be published in a newspaper of national circulation before enforcement.

While Metro Manila mayors supported a region-wide curfew, implementation requires local ordinances passed by respective councils.