PH places NCR, 4 provinces under GCQ, bans non-essential travel

President Rodrigo Duterte approved stricter COVID-19 restrictions for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from March 22 to April 4.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommended placing these areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Non-essential travel into and out of the affected regions is banned. Only essential travel will be allowed, with public transportation operational but subject to guidelines from the Department of Transportation.

Individuals aged 18 to 65 are permitted outside; those below or above this age range must remain at home unless for non-contact sports or outdoor exercise.

All mass gatherings and religious services are prohibited. Weddings, baptisms, and funeral services are limited to ten people.

Dine-in restaurants can only offer delivery and take-out services with al fresco dining allowed but subject to engineering controls like dividers and social distancing measures.