At press time, the Philippines has recorded 52 laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with five deaths.
Among the 52 COVID-19 cases in the country, nine (9) are from Makati; six (6) of the patients are residing in Quezon City; seven (7) are from San Juan; five each from (5) Pasig and (5) Marikina; two (2) are from Manila, and one each from (1) Mandaluyong, Taguig, and (1) Las Piñas.
On March 12, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the National Capital Region or Metro Manila under "community quarantine" starting on March 15 until April 14.
There are also confirmed COVID-19 cases in Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, and Negros Oriental—where affected cities and municipalities have been implementing stricter rules to contain the spread of COVID-19.
METRO MANILA or national capital region
Here are the areas that are under "community quarantine," as of March 13, Friday: 1. Manila
2. Quezon City
3. Caloocan
4. Las Piñas
5. Makati
6. Malabon
7. Mandaluyong
8. Marikina
9. Muntinlupa
10. Navotas
11. Pateros
12. Parañaque
13. Pasay
14. Pasig
16. San Juan
17. Taguig
18. Valenzuela
During the quarantine period, land, domestic air, and sea travel in and out of Metro Manila will be restricted.
Those planning to go to the provinces, passengers may fly through the Clark International Airport.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport will continue its operations for international flights, but with restrictions.
Meanwhile, mass public transports including trains, such as Light Rail Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR), will continue to operate during this period as long as they follow "social distancing guidelines."
The public is prohibited from holding mass gatherings. Classes in all levels and work in the executive branch are suspended until April 12.
Transactions with government offices such as PhilHealth, GSIS, and SSS will continue as long as these agencies will maintain skeletal workforces.
Meanwhile, Filipinos from nearby cities and provinces employed in Metro Manila are still allowed to go to their work as long as they present proof of employment, such as a company ID, on designated checkpoints.
Private companies are encouraged by the government to implement a flexible work schedule or work-from-home scheme.
CAINTA, RIZAL
Mayor Johnielle Keith "Kit" Nieto announced on Thursday night, March 12, through a Facebook post that Caint, Rizal will be under community quarantine starting Sunday, March 15, following the orders of President Duterte.
Two of the three laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cainta had died on March 11 and March 12.
Mayor Nieto's Facebook post read: "Pursuant to the President’s pronouncements, documented in an inter agency resolution involving Covid19, and further considering the presence of three confirmed cases of subject virus situated in Barangays San Isidro and San Andres, two of whom died today, I am constrained to place the entire town of Cainta under quarantine.
"The implementation however shall coincide with the effectivity of Resolution No. 11 series of 2020 issued by the inter agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases. Implementation guidelines covering the declaration shall be discussed, decided and circulated tomorrow at 9am.
"Sa tagalog....May resolusyong ipinasa sa national.. ang sabi pag ang isang munisipyo ay may 2 kaso ng covid 19, na nangyari sa magkaibang Barangay, dapat magdeklara tayo ng municipal wide quarantine.. eh meron tayong tatlong kasong recorded sa DOH... 2 sa San Isidro ['tapos] isa sa San Andres..
"Kaya kelangan nating mag-quarantine.. March 15 po magkakabisa ang deklarasyong ito.. sasabay na natin sa petsa na itinakda ng ating Pangulo.. bukas ko babalangkasin ang lahat ng pwedeng epekto ng naturang pahayag."
Currently, Mayor Nieto has been implementing misting and fumigation activities to cleanse the streets of Cainta. Aside from this, the municipality of Cainta has been giving free alcohol and soap to its residents.
BOHOL
Governor Arthur Yap announced on Friday, March 13, that Bohol will be placed under "community quarantine" for five days, from March 16 to 20.
During this period, Gov. Yap said they will create a task force composed of local officials, agencies, civic, and religious organizations that will install preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.
The area will bot be opened to tourists. But those who are already in Bohol and leaving the region will be allowed.
According to Inquirer.net, Gov. Yap said on Friday morning during his weekly program Tingog sa mga Bol-anon, "If people want to leave, they are allowed to leave. That’s why this is not a lockdown.
"A lockdown means nobody comes in and nobody goes out. A lockdown means you stay in your home. You cannot go out…This is a community quarantine."
Currently, there is no laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in Bohol.
