MANILA, Philippines – The unified curfew hours in Metro Manila will be lifted starting Thursday, November 4, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the MMDA said the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved a resolution lifting the prevailing unified curfew hours in the region from 12 midnight to 4 a.m.
The MMDA said this will complement the adjustment of mall operating hours to provide both mall goers and employees ample time to get home.
“The lifting of curfew hours in Metro Manila will help spread out influx of people coming to and from malls to further reduce the risk of virus’ transmission,” MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos said.
The same resolution stated that mall owners have agreed to adjust their operating hours by opening until 11pm, instead of the usual 10pm to help alleviate traffic in Metro Manila especially with the upcoming holiday season.
Abalos, however, said that curfew for minors or those under 18 years old shall be subject to existing ordinances of the Metro Manila local government units, along with the continued observance and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and minimum public health standards such as wearing of face shields and face masks, and observing social distancing.
“The Metro Manila mayors have agreed to lift the curfew hours in the metropolis. But we will respect the implementation of curfew on minors based on existing ordinances of the respective LGUs,” he said.
The MMC, composed of the 17 local government units of Metro Manila, is the governing body and policy-making body of the MMDA.
Metro Manila is under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 until Nov. 14.
Under this alert level, several establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Authorities earlier said that there is a possibility that the region will shift to a lower level in mid-November if the current downtrend in cases will continue.
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