Gov’t to release ”exemption” list of people allowed to enter Metro Manila: Año

March 13, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said they will come up with an “exemption” list of people who will be allow to enter Metro Manila during the implementation of community quarantine in the region.

“We will release (a list) of those exempted, like those who are undergoing medical intervention, medical treatment… those who really need medical operation, they will be allowed,” Año said in a radio interview on Friday.

He added even media personnel and those who will deliver goods and food supplies will be allowed to enter the National Capital Region (NCR).

Año urged the public to stop spreading unverified information on coronavirus after a report on “lockdown” spread in social media hours before President Rodrigo Duterte made his public announcement.

“I appeal to the public that if they are not sure (on the news), don’t spread it because it adds to confusion and panic,” he said.

In a separate interview last Thursday night, Año said employees living outside but working in Metro Manila just need to present proof that they are really working in the capital to allow them entry on checkpoints.

Duterte declared Code Red Sublevel 2, imposing "community quarantine" in the entire National Capital Region, and ordered suspension of the land, air, and sea domestic travels to and from Metro Manila for a month until April 14 due to coronavirus disease outbreak. Ella Dionisio/DMS