The Philippine capital started to implement more relaxed community quarantine measures on Monday, June 1, allowing the opening of most businesses and limited public transportation.
Under the new arrangement, more business establishments are allowed to re-open while those currently operating will be allowed to increase their workforce.
Areas considered to be “high risk” due to the number of new coronavirus cases will be subject to “zoning.”
Quarantine passes are no longer required but travel must still be limited for essential needs. Workers need only to present their company ID or certificate of employment at checkpoints.
Public transportation will be allowed but at limited capacity to ensure social distancing.
On June 22, the second phase of the relaxed quarantine protocol will be implemented, allowing more public transport.
The lifting of strict quarantine measures came as the Philippines recorded a nearly 29-percent rise in new coronavirus cases over the past week.
The Health department reported at least 4,000 new cases since May 24, an increase of 28.9 percent.
At least 862 new infections were registered on May 31, according to the Health department, taking the total number of cases to 18,086.
There were seven new deaths recorded, bringing the death toll to 957.
Health officials said 101 patients recovered from the disease, or a total of 3,909 people.
