Rizal, Paco parks limit visiting hours

MANILA – Rizal Park and Paco Park are limiting visiting hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. starting  March 19, the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) announced Friday.

The move is to help the government curb the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Metro Manila.

Both parks will only be open to persons aged 18 years to 65 years who are visiting for physical exercise.

“In accordance with the guidelines issued by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and the Department of Tourism, visitors must wear their face masks and face shields to be permitted entry inside the premises,” the committee said.

“These personal protective equipment may only be removed during intense physical exercise and if able to maintain a distance of six feet from others,” it added.

Park-goers have also been advised to download and register at the StaySafe.PH mobile application to enable contactless contact tracing before they are allowed to enter both landmarks.

The NPDC said marshals would be present to assist park-goers if the latter begin to feel unwell at the premises.

“The NPDC looks forward to the cooperation of the public so that it can continue to provide a safe space for park-goers to exercise at Rizal Park and Paco Park, and help them maintain their physical and mental wellbeing amid the ongoing pandemic,” it said.