53 NCR areas under lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The number of areas under granular lockdown in the National Capital Region (NCR) climbed to 53 yesterday, five days after the region was placed under Alert Level 3 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The figure is higher by 140.9 percent compared with just 22 areas that were locked down last Thursday.

Thirty-six of the locked-down areas are located in Manila, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.

Sixteen are in northern Metro Manila while one is in southern Metro Manila, according to the PNP.

Fifty-seven households or 113 people are affected by the lockdown. To ensure their movements are restricted, 103 police officers and 104 force multipliers are securing the areas.

Seven more areas, six in Mimaropa and one in the Cordilleras, are also under lockdown, covering 28 households or 77 individuals.

Police have apprehended at least 20,615 people in Metro Manila for violating quarantine protocols.

At least 20,455 of the violators disregarded minimum public health standards while 160 others were arrested for violating curfew ordinances.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has directed police commanders to prepare for contingency measures and coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in the event Metro Manila and other areas with high cases of active COVID-19 cases are placed under the stricter Alert Level 4.

“We instructed our police personnel to be fully aware of the guidelines. If this won’t serve to curb the COVID cases in their area, then there is a bigger possibility that a stricter health protocol will be implemented in their LGU,” he said in a statement.

Under Alert Level 4, people younger than 18 and older than 65 are required to stay at home except for emergencies. Also included are people with comorbidities and pregnant women.

The on-site capacity in establishments and government offices are also limited.