(2nd UPDATE) The general community quarantine (GCQ) that begins on Wednesday, August 19, will be “stricter” than past implementations of GCQ, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday.

The National Task Force on COVID-19, in their meeting on Tuesday, decided to approve the suggestion of Metro Manila mayors to revert to the “original” GCQ with more restrictions on businesses like gyms, internet cafes, dine-in restaurants, and salons.

“When we consulted the mayors they were in agreement that it should be GCQ but it should be of the strict type similar to what was imposed in June when we first went on GCQ,” said Roque in a CNN Philippines interview.

In a message to reporters, Roque clarified that the stricter GCQ will also apply to Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna, the other Luzon areas under GCQ until August 31.

What are the elements of this ‘stricter’ GCQ?

Here are new rules for the GCQ period of August 19 to 31:

• 8 pm to 5 am curfew for entire Metro Manila. Pasig, Manila, and Muntinlupa, who currently have different curfew hours, will realign theirs within the week.
• Gyms, internet cafes, tutorial and review centers, personal aesthetics and grooming services (except for salons and barbershops), pet grooming services not allowed to open
• Dine-in in restaurants allowed but local government to decide on capacity
• Salons, barbershops, and all their services except for fully body massage, allowed but local government to decide on capacity
• Only mass gatherings of up to 10 people allowed, including religious services
• Backriding on motorcycles still allowed. If driver and passenger are from same address, no need to have a barrier but both must be wearing helmets and face masks while backriding
• Face shields, apart from face masks, are required in enclosed commercial places (like malls), indoor workplaces, and public transportation
• As for quarantine passes, it’s up to local governments if they will require them

The rest of the GCQ rules remain unchanged. – Rappler.com