NCR residents told to heed outdoor exercise ban

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday urged Metro Manila residents to follow the prohibition of outdoor exercise amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the country’s metropolis.

In a virtual press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque advised people residing in Metro Manila to stay home during the ECQ to protect themselves against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Kapag sa tingin nila, importante na 10 days lang naman, eh sa bahay na muna tayo, sumunod na po tayo (If they think, it is important to stay home for just 10 days, let’s just follow),” Roque said.

This, after Metro Manila mayors have agreed to pass a resolution barring outdoor exercise for the remainder of ECQ, the most stringent quarantine level imposed in the country.

Metro Manila was placed on ECQ from August 6 to 20 to curb the spread of the more infectious Delta variant of Covid-19.

Under a resolution inked Monday by 17 Metro Manila mayors and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr., no one is allowed to exercise outdoors until August 20.

Prior to the issuance of the resolution, outdoor exercises were allowed in Metro Manila from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The latest decision was reached following the “steady rise” in the Covid-19 cases, including the confirmed cases of Delta coronavirus variant, in Metro Manila.

Remaining indoor, according to the resolution, is “one of the best protection against the pandemic during the ECQ.”

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte respects the move to impose exercise outdoor ban in Metro Manila.

“Ito po ‘yung pagkakataon na ang Presidente, nagde-defer sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. Sila po kasi ang nagpapatupad ng ating mga quarantine (The President would defer to the local governments because they are the ones implementing the quarantine protocols),” he said.

The Philippines’ case classification is now at “high-risk” after the rise in Covid-19 cases has been observed with a positive two-week growth rate at 47 percent.

The Department of Health on Monday said Metro Manila is currently at high-risk classification based on its positive two-week growth rate and high-risk average daily attack rate.