MANILA — Mall operators on Saturday announced that their branches within Metro Manila will be closed earlier than usual as the region braces for a government-imposed quarantine.

Metro Manila will be under community quarantine beginning Sunday, March 15, to Tuesday, April 14 in a bid to arrest the spread of COVID-19, now considered pandemic by the World Health Organization.

• Metro Manila quarantine: Troops at borders, social distancing of 1-meter radius when out in public

Local chief executives in Metro Manila have also agreed to impose curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as the quarantine takes effect.

The country's mall chains SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls and Vista Malls said they would have shorter operating hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls and Vista Malls said they will impose their new schedule on Sunday, while Ayala Malls' will be effective today.

The Philippines has recorded 64 cases of the new coronavirus strain, mostly in Metro Manila. Among them, 8 have died.

• Metro Manila quarantine: Troops at borders, social distancing of 1-meter radius when out in public