Government creates Covid-19 'bubble' in NCR, 4 provinces

(UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of a Covid-19 "bubble" in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal effective Monday, March 22, 2021, as part of efforts to control transmission of the infectious disease.

Only essential travel into and out of the areas mentioned will be allowed from March 22 to April 4, 2021, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Sunday, March 21, 2021.

"Bawal po ang magba-byahe papunta sa Metro Manila at mga probinsya ng Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna at Rizal. At bawal din po lumabas ng Metro Manila . Magkakaroon tayt dito ng parang bubble

The provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal were added to the list of areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) until March 31, 2021.

Air and sea travel to and from Metro Manila will still be allowed, but only for essential travelers.

"Tandaan po natin na ang tourism ay hindi part ng essential industries," said Roque.

Only authorized persons outside residence may go in and out of these areas. They include:

• Essential workers, who just have to show their company ID
• Health and emergency frontline services personnel
• Government officials and government frontline personnel
• Duly authorized humanitarian assistance actors
• Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
• Persons going to the airport for travel abroad
• Anyone crossing zones for work or business and going back home
• Returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs

The uniform curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. currently imposed in Metro Manila will extend to the four other provinces.

These are contained in Resolution No. 104 of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which held an emergency meeting to draw up measures to stop the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in the NCR and in the four provinces.

Other highlights:

• Public transportation will remain operational at current capacities and protocols.
• All mass and public gatherings, including religious gatherings, are prohibited.
• Holding of weddings, baptism and funeral services shall be limited to 10 persons.
• Essential and non-essential businesses will remain open, but personal or face-to-face meetings are highly discouraged, group meals in workplaces are prohibited and work from home arrangements are highly encouraged.
• Private sector encouraged to adopt reduction of operational capacity in government offices to 30 to 50 percent.
• Al fresco dining services will be allowed with additional engineering and administrative controls. Takeouts are highly encouraged.
• Persons outside the 18 to 65 age range as well as those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities and other health risk, pregnant women and persons who reside with them must stay at home.
• Visitation among households is prohibited

These are on top of the restrictions earlier announced by the Office of the President and the Department of Trade and Industry based on IATF Resolution No. 103.

Read: Tighter restrictions to take effect March 22

Roque said the government expects local government units and village associations to help discourage visitation among households.

He said the Philippine National Police as well as other law enforcement agencies and LGUs will be establishing checkpoints in strategic areas to enforce these new restrictions. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / VoxPop Philippines)