MANILA - Cooped up Metro Manila residents can now go for a walk or jog outside beginning Saturday, May 16, the day the modified enhanced community quarantine takes effect, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.

"We have announced that in modified ECQ jogging, running outside and walking is now allowed," Roque said in an interview on ANC's Headstart via Zoom.

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Government has placed the National Capital Region, Laguna province and Cebu City under a modified ECQ from May 16 to 31.

This makes it the third extension and revision in the scope of the ECQ since it was declared over all of Luzon on March 17.

Under a modified lockdown, movement of people will be limited to essential services and going to work. There will also be limited transportation services for essential goods and services. Mass transportation is still not allowed to operate.

Select industries can operate up to a maximum of 50 percent capacity, Roque earlier said.

"Ang ginawa natin binuksan natin ang mas maraming industriya sa katotohanan na hindi naman nating kayang buhayin lahat ng mamamayan natin sa pamamagitan ng ayuda so kailangang dahan-dahanin nating buksan ang ating ekonomiya," said Roque in another interview on DZMM Teleradyo.

Outdoor exercises will be allowed but safety protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks must still be observed.

"Now we could all exercise outside. We can run and we can bike, and we can walk," Roque said.

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Malls will partially open, but Roque reminded the public that Metro Manila is still under an enhanced lockdown and the stay-at-home rule should be observed.

"Meron pa rin pong checkpoints yan at saka 'yung curfew ipagpapatuloy 'yan dahil 'yan naman po ay nakabase sa mga ordinansa," he reminded.

Meanwhile, barbershops and salons are still not allowed to operate under a modified lockdown, Roque reiterated.

"Hindi po muna papayagan ang mga barbero at saka beauty salon sa modified ECQ. Kaniya-kaniya muna tayong gupit talaga," he said.

He shared that even members of the IATF devoted around 9 to 10 hours in the discussions and debates on the issue.

"Sa GCQ, DTI is still reviewing. Talagang masalimuot po 'yung usapin ng sa barbero," he said.

Aside from barbershops and salons, other businesses that are not allowed to operate yet are gyms, fitness studios, sports facilities, entertainment industries, kid amusement industry, library, archive and museums, cultural centers, tourist destinations, travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service, and personal care services.

As of Thursday, the Department of Health reported 11,876 positive cases of COVID-19, including 2,337 recoveries and 790 deaths.