The 12 midnight to 4 a.m. curfew currently in effect in Metro Manila will be lifted starting Nov. 4, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos announced today, Nov. 3.
The new order, which is based on MMDA Resolution No. 21-25, will complement the adjustment of mall operating hours in anticipation of the holiday shopping rush. The easing of curfew, the MMDA said, will “provide both mall goers and mall employees ample time to get home.”
“The lifting of curfew hours in Metro Manila will help spread out influx of people coming to and from malls to further reduce the risk of virus’ transmission,” MMDA chair Benhur Abalos said.
Mall operators were likewise consulted for a possible extension of operating hours to accommodate the public.
However, whether or not minors will be allowed to loiter during odd hours is still subject to local government units’ ordinances, Abalos said in an interview with Inquirer.net.
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The move is expected to help uplift the economy, especially this holiday season when the public is likely to go to malls. The MMDA said the new no-curfew rule will go hand in hand with the Department of Transportation’s easing of public transport restrictions, which now allows for up to 70 percent capacity.
Curfews were initially imposed to limit human movement in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases. However, they have come with controversy due to cases of police violence in implementing curfew hours.