The public will soon be allowed outdoors and establishments to close at later hours after the Metro Manila Council (MMC) shortened the standardized and unified curfew hours in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The MMC — composed of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the 17 mayors in the NCR — has set the new curfew from midnight to 4 a.m. beginning October 13.

“The curfew hours being presently implemented in the NCR under Alert Level 4, i.e., 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., has to be adjusted in light of the recent developments particularly the steady decrease of active cases in the region,” the resolution read.

The new curfew hours will remain subject to continued enforcement of Covid-19 protocols and minimum public health standards by local government units (LGU).

All NCR mayors have agreed to enact executive orders or to amend ordinances for the proper implementation of the new curfew hours.

The shortened curfew comes after the Department of Health reported a “general decrease” in Covid-19 active cases in the NCR. As of October 11, the total number of active infections in the country is down to 98,894 or 3.7 percent of all cases and 8,292 new cases, the lowest since August this year.

The MMC has also urged LGUs to close cemeteries and other establishments commonly visited during All Saints’ Day or Undas from October 29 to November 2 to avoid the spread of Covid-19 infection. (PNA)