MMDA: Curfew hours in Metro Manila are now from 10pm to 4am starting May 1

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that there will be new unified curfew hours while the nation’s capital still remains under quarantine. The government agency released MMDA Resolution no. 21-09 Series of 2021 which was signed by all the mayors of Metro Manila. The document also states that there will be unified curfew hours in the area from 10pm to 4am. This changes the status quo from the previous curfew hours of 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The new unified curfew hours will officially start on May 1, 2021 and will remain as such until further announcements have been made.

The move to change the curfew hours was done due to reports coming from the Department of Health (DOH) showing a 5% drop in reported COVID-19 cases in the first half of April of 2021. It is important to note that during the first half of April 2021, stricter quarantine measures were put into place, helping stem the spread of more cases in the country.

As for the quarantine status of Metro Manila, President Rodrigo Duterte has already made an announcement retaining its Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status until May 14, 2021. This will in turn further ensure that there will not be another massive spike in cases, while not ruining the hard work of many to keep the pandemic under control. 

Of note, there haven't been any other announcements with regards to the new curfew hours changing under the President’s decision to extend the MECQ period for the National Capital Region. With that in mind, both can work together to help prevent another spike in cases from happening, while still giving health workers and other personnel a little more time to get home from later work shifts.

The government still urges the public to follow health and safety protocols in order to help stop the spread of the pandemic.