After being imposed since March 2020, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos has announced that the Metro Manila curfew hours will finally be lifted starting tomorrow, November 4, 2021.

At present, curfew hours run from 12:00 midnight to 4:00 AM. This is in spite of Metro Manila being under Alert 3 already,  since November 1. The decision to lift the curfew hours was decided together by 17 Mayors in Metro Manila. This is to help the business establishments, especially malls. In addition,  this move will also ease the traffic caused by the nearing Christmas season.

“The lifting of curfew hours in Metro Manila will help spread out influx of people coming to and from malls to further reduce the risk of virus’ transmission,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said in a statement.

“The Metro Manila mayors have agreed to lift the curfew hours in the metropolis,” he further added.

Starting November 4, the public can now be outside any time of the day and malls can now operate up to 11:00 pm. However, this doesn’t mean police personnel will be out of the street once the lifting has begun. According to PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar,  police personnel will still secure the streets once the curfew is lifted. This is to promote and maintain safety in public areas, although they can no longer apprehend individuals for violating the curfew hours. Moreover, the public can expect fewer checkpoints on the road once curfew is no longer effective.