Golf courses unplayable under MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Golfers in at least five areas, including the NCR, will miss the fairways for the next two weeks as President Duterte placed Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan back under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting today.

Eagle Ridge and Riviera, both in Cavite, were the first to advise their members of the shutdown. The rest are expected to follow suit as the government heeded the appeal of the medical community to re-impose stricter lockdown measures in the Big City and nearby provinces to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases.

The Department of Health reported the highest single-day jump of 5,032 new cases last Sunday, bringing the country’s total caseload to 103,185.

“In light of President Duterte’s announcement, placing the NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan under MECQ from Aug. 4-18, and in compliance with the IATF’s (Inter-Agency Task Force) guidelines, our club will be closed during the said period,” said the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in a statement.

Others shutting down are Ayala Greenfield in Laguna, Royal Northwoods in Bulacan along with Wack Wack in Mandaluyong, Valley Golf in Antipolo, Eastridge in Binangonan and Manila Golf, Villamor, Navy, Veterans in Metro Manila, and Alabang in Muntinlupa.