Philippines eases capital’s curbs, allows quarantine-free entry

The Philippines will ease movement restrictions in the capital from Oct. 16, allowing businesses to further reopen as coronavirus infections ebbed in the past days.

Metro Manila, which accounts for a third of the nation’s economic output, will shift to a looser Alert Level 3 from Oct. 16 to 31, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement. Most businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity, while spas and indoor tourist attractions can reopen at 30% capacity, based on earlier government guidelines. More cities and provinces outside the capital were also placed under the looser form of quarantine.

Fully-vaccinated passengers from overseas will also no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine, and will only be asked a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.