Longer Mall Hours, Shorter Curfew Eyed

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is hoping that a shorter curfew period and longer operating hours for malls will be implemented during the holiday season.

The agency recently met with mall owners who agreed to extend their business hours until 11 p.m., according to MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos.

However, they were apprehensive about delaying mall closure if the curfew would not be adjusted and if less public transportation would be available by that time, he told radio station dzRH on Monday, Nov. 1.

He said this concern prompted him to meet with Metro Manila mayors online and discuss whether to shorten further the curfew hours in the region.

“I met with the mayors through Viber and asked if we could adjust the curfew. They already voted and the resolution is just being drafted,” he disclosed.

Currently, curfew hours in Metro Manila are from midnight to 4 a.m.

The adjustments were brought about by what Abalos believed was improving statistics in the COVID-19 transmission in Metro Manila.

He said that from a rate of 8.4, the COVID-19 average daily attack rate dropped to 7.4.

“The cutoff rate for Alert Level 2 to be enforced in Metro Manila should be 7, now we are at 7.4,” he noted.

Alert Level 3 is currently enforced in Metro Manila and if downgraded further to Alert Level 2, local governments could allow another increase in the seating and operational capacity of certain businesses.

He said the government would study the possibility of Metro Manila lowering to Alert Level 2 if the COVID-19 average daily attack rate continues to drop.

The Department of Health would determine the COVID-19 alert level in a particular area based on record of infections, admission in hospitals that take care of COVID-19 patients and vaccination rates.