NCR mayors lift curfew due to extended mall operating hours 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has lifted the standardized and unified curfew that was in place in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

Christmas season plus the lower COVID-19 cases means more shoppers

This is in accordance with a resolution that was released on November 3, 2021 (Wednesday) by the 17 NCR mayors, as well as the MMDA. The reasoning for the lifting of the curfew is the extended operating hours of malls within Metro Manila from the usual 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.  

The aforementioned decision is also in response to the current traffic situation in the region. It was also noted by several reports that this extension of operating hours and the lifting of the curfew allows mall goers and mall employees ample time to get home.  

Moreover, it might be connected to the fact that the MMDA wants to avoid the further spread of COVID-19 among mall goers. The possible reasoning for this is the lifting of the curfew might also spread out the mall goer’s shopping times throughout the day. As such, they will no longer be crammed inside the local malls due to time limitations. 

By the same reasoning, it might even help avoid another Christmas season “Carmaggedon,” as the longer operating times also mean a more even spread of cars traveling to and from the malls throughout the day. 

As there are less cases of COVID-19 now, more and more people are out and about

With all that said though, the malls will still follow the “continued observance and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and minimum public health standards.” Also, the lifting of the curfew by the MMDA is still subject to the existing ordinances enforced by the local governments within NCR.  

Prior to this, the curfew hours for the entirety of Metro Manila spanned from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. As for the current quarantine status, NCR is still within Alert Level 3. So, if you plan on visiting any malls within Metro Manila, please don’t forget to wear face masks and face shields. 

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