‘NCR Plus’ bubble approved by Duterte

By Jack Ramos

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President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the National Capital Region (NCR) and 4 provinces under the general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning today, March 22 until April 4.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) suggested to the President that NCR and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal be placed under GCQ with additional restrictions because of the recent spike of new Covid-19 cases.

The boundary that is set up by the IATF-EID is called the “NCR Plus” bubble.

"Wala po tayong lockdown. Hindi po iyan hard lockdown kasi bukas ang ekonomiya but it is a restriction on movement kasi ang iniiwasan nga po natin na kumalat pa sa labas iyong mga new variants na nasa Metro Manila na at mga karatig na probinsiya," said Presidential spokesman Harry Roque in a virtual press briefing in People's Television Network (PTV-4)

"Magkakaroon po tayo ng parang bubble dito sa NCR at probinsya ng Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna at Rizal. Pupuwede kayong bumiyahe anywhere freely between these areas. Pero hindi pupuwedeng lumabas, hindi puwedeng pumasok. Ipatutupad po natin iyan sa pamamagitan ng checkpoints," Roque added.

In Resolution No. 104, the IATF-EID set the following measures in the said areas:

• Individuals aged 18 to 65 will be allowed outside. Those aged below 18 and over 65, and those with health risks, pregnant, or with immunodeficiencies are required to remain in residences. A person over 65 may be allowed outside for non-contact sports and outdoor exercise. Persons with disabilities may likewise be allowed outside, but also for therapy upon the presentation of a prescription or a PWD ID.

• Only essential travel in and out of the areas will be allowed. Public transportation will remain operational, subject to guidelines of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The use of active transportation such as bicycles is encouraged.

• Visiting other households is strongly discouraged. Wearing face masks is encouraged even at home.

• Common curfew to be imposed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Workers, cargo vehicles, and public transportation exempted.

• All mass gatherings, including religious gatherings, will be prohibited. Face-to-face meetings are highly discouraged, virtual meetings are encouraged.

• Weddings, baptisms, and funeral services are limited to 10 persons only.

• Operational capacities of essential and non-essential services/industries will be maintained, subject to safety protocols and minimum public health standards, with 30-50% operational or on-site capacity where applicable. Personal care service establishments are limited to 50% of venue capacity.

• Dine-in restaurants, cafes, and establishments are limited to delivery. Take-out and outdoor dining allowed. However, engineering and administrative controls, such as dividers, limiting diners to two per table sitting diagonally and a seat apart, is required for outdoor dining. Also, outdoor dining is limited to 50% of capacity.

• Driving schools, traditional cinemas, video, and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers, limited social events at DOT-accredited establishments temporarily suspended. Open-air tourist attractions exempted.

• Cockfighting and cockpit operations were suspended under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

March's latest outbreak including the new Covid-19 variant cases was the reason why IATF-EID suggested placing NCR including the said four provinces in the “NCR Plus” bubble.

The country also experienced a third straight day with over 7,000 Covid-19 cases from Friday to Sunday, with a record-high of 7,999 Covid-19 cases last Saturday. Last Saturday’s record is the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

On the other hand, the Philippines vaccination program will continue with 1 million vaccine doses that are purchased by the government from the private Chinese company Sinovac expected to arrive on March 29, alongside with additional donations from the British-Swede biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca coming in April.