Metro Manila will unfortunately have to spend the holidays within the comfort of their own homes only as they remain under strict quarantine protocols, the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said on Tuesday.

Año said in an interview that parties are still not allowed under the general community quarantine (GCQ) and National Capital Region (NCR) mayors have agreed to stay this way. Hence, Christmas parties in the NCR are banned in the meantime.

However, curfew hours have been adjusted to 12 am to 4 am. He is also open for the suggestions of lowering the age restrictions for people who are not allowed to go out, ranging from 18 to 65 and to 15 to 65.

He also said that the implementation of GCQ until December is for the purpose of preventing another surge to happen, as the cases in NCR daily are still in three digits.

As of October 21, there are nearly 360,000 active COVID-19 cases in the country, with over 42,000 active cases.