(File photo)
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Wednesday, ordered all police officers to strictly enforce the prohibition on outdoor exercises for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Ang pagbabawal sa mga outdoor activity ay desisyon ng ating mga Metro Manila mayors na kailangang ipatupad ng inyong PNP para sa kapakanan ng lahat, lalo na at marami na ang kumpirmadong kaso ng mga bata, kabilang ang mga sanggol, na nahahawa ng Covid-19 (The prohibition on all outdoor activities is the collective decision of all Metro Manila mayors that need to be implemented by the PNP for the safety of all, especially now that there are a lot of cases involving children, and even babies, who got infected with the coronavirus disease 2019)," Eleazar said in a statement.
He called the prohibition on all outdoor activities very timely, considering that the Philippines has been declared as "high-risk" for Covid-19 due to the increasing number of infections.
The measure, he added, is needed to ensure that the situation would not worsen the country's health and economic situation.
Eleazar also directed police commanders to maximize the information drive on the measure through the PNP’s social media accounts and through Oplan Bandillo where policemen warn the public through a megaphone or speaker system installed in roving police vehicles.
He appealed to Metro Manila residents to abide by this rule and cooperate with authorities.
In Resolution 21-17, series of 2021 issued on Monday, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) banned outdoor exercise for the remainder of the ECQ in the NCR.
The resolution was signed by the 17 NCR mayors and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.
“It is hereby resolved that the MMC prohibits outdoor exercise in NCR during the ECQ until 20 August 2021 through the local government units of Metro Manila,” the resolution read.
The decision was made after the “steady rise” in the number of Covid-19 cases, including confirmed cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus,s in the region.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said the Philippines has gone up to high-risk classification as a rise in Covid-19 cases has been observed with a positive two-week growth rate (TWGR) at 47 percent.
The NCR maintained a positive TWGR and a high-risk average daily attack rate (ADAR) and is currently at high-risk classification. Its ADAR now is at 12.70 per 100,000 population.
As of Tuesday, the Philippines has recorded 8,560 new infections, bringing the active case tally to 79,016.
The country has logged a total of 1,676,156 Covid-19 cases, with 1,567,920 recoveries and 29,220 deaths. (PNA)
