Outdoor exercise in the morning will be allowed in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as long as it is done within the vicinity of people’s residences or barangays (villages), Malacañang announced Monday.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said outdoor exercise from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. will be allowed in Manila and four nearby provinces namely Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
Roque emphasized the need for morning exercise to boost people’s immune system amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.
“Pinapayagan ang pag ehersisyo mula 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. within the vicinity of your residences at sa inyong mga barangay. Importante po talaga ang exercise, hindi po kayo pinagbabawalan pero huwag naman kayo lalabas doon sa komunidad ninyo o dun sa barangay niyo (Exercise from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. within the vicinity of your residences and villages is allowed. Exercise is important, and you will not be prohibited as long as it is done within your community or barangay),” he said.
Citing Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jose Arturo Garcia, Roque said reports showed that many people were jogging and biking in Luneta Park.
He said individuals who exercise outside their vicinity or barangays will be accosted.
“Kung gusto niyo mag-jogging, diyan lang sa barangay ninyo. Kung gusto niyo mag bike, diyan lang po sa barangay ninyo. Huwag po kayong lalayo dahil masisita po kayo (If you want to go jogging or biking, do it within your barangay. Don’t go too far because you will be accosted),” he added.
Metro Manila and four nearby provinces have been replaced under ECQ, the most restrictive of the four quarantine classifications, until April 4 to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
An ECQ status mandates all households to observe strict home quarantine. Movements will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) or those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate.
Mass gatherings (more than 10 persons outside and non-household members indoors) and face-to-face classes are also prohibited in ECQ zones. Mass transportation is allowed at limited capacity.
Persons below 18 years old and above 65 years, persons with comorbidities, and pregnant women are also required to remain in their residences at all times except for essential activities.
On the eve of the week-long lockdown on Sunday, the country logged 9,475 new Covid-19 cases bringing the country’s total number of cases to 721,892.
Recoveries reached 603,154 after 22,000 people got well while 11 new deaths brought the death toll up to 13,170.
In March alone so far, at least 145,540 new cases have been reported, making it the month with the highest number of new cases since the pandemic started. (PNA)
