Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos said the government should ease restrictions even more in terms of capacity by June, hoping to help businesses bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
NOTING the marked improvement in hospital capacity as well as the downtrend in new cases, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos wants more businesses in the National Capital Region (NCR) to open in June, when heightened restrictions due to the imposed general community quarantine (GCQ) would have already elapsed.
Abalos said that Covid-19 transmissions, hospital capacity, and the business sector are all slowly improving compared to March and April when active cases surged greatly to highest levels.
He added that because of the encouraging developments, the government should ease restrictions even more in terms of capacity, hoping to help businesses bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
Under GCQ, indoor dining services were only allowed at a 20 percent capacity, while outdoor al fresco dining was allowed at 50 percent. Outdoor tourist attractions were also allowed to reopen, but only at 30 percent capacity.
Unlike in 2020, personal care services that do not require the removal of face masks such as salons, barber shops, and beauty clinics were also allowed to operate at a 30 percent capacity.
However, entertainment and recreational venues, amusement parks, sports gyms, and indoor tourist attractions, are still banned.
Abalos also convened with Metro Manila mayors, hoping to adjust curfew hours which are currently set from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
He asked the mayors whether or not they feel the curfew can be raised to 12:00 midnight instead.
Although the meeting already took place, no official announcement has been made about the revision in curfew hours.
One main reason why he believes the curfew should be moved is so businesses can adjust their operating hours should it be shortened. (See also: Cautious optimism; MM mayors back easing of restrictions, OCTA suggests status quo for two more weeks )
Despite hoping to help businesses, Abalos reminded the public that the decisions made by the Metro Manila council composed of NCR mayors on quarantine levels are only recommendations.
It is still up to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) to decide on the issue, as they are expected to announce the next quarantine classifications for the country before May 31. (MO)
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