Mayor Jerry Treñas has allowed more non-essential establishments to operate despite the extension of Iloilo City’s modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status.
On Thursday, July 1, Treñas issued Executive Order No. 55 extending the city’s MECQ status until July 15 with some exemptions in the bid to help businesses recover from the pandemic.
“…In view of resuscitating the economy of the city and addressing the fiscal needs of the constituents, the Local Chief Executive together with the Iloilo City COVID Team have concluded that it is best to open more establishments provided that minimum health protocols are strictly followed at all times,” part of the EO read.
Specifically, the new order allows the operations of beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops, and nail spas, at an initial venue or seating capacity of 35 percent and provided that they will only provide services that can accommodate the wearing of face masks at all times by the patrons/clients and service providers.
Also allowed to operate at a maximum of ten percent on-site capacity are outdoor sports courts or venues for non-contact sports and other personal care services which include make-up salons, medical aesthetic clinics, and cosmetic or derma clinics.
In an interview, the city mayor explained there is a need to restore more jobs in labor-intensive industries, and ease the economic burden of displaced workers, among others.
“Because kinanglan na gid sang aton pumoluyo. I really need to help them. We have to start recovering. Hopefully, the vaccine will start coming in. Ang siling ko sa kay RD (DOH-6 regional director Adriano Subaan) may ginbakal man kita nga vaccine pero gin-unahan di kita nila hatag, ang vaccine nga ginbakal ta kon magsobra man diri sa aton, pwede man ini naton idonar kon diin kinanglan because anhon ta lang ni ang mga vaccine kon magsulolobra na,” said Treñas.
To note, the city government asked to downgrade its MECQ status but the request was declined by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
The EO also allows the sale and public consumption of alcohol from 4a.m. to 6 p.m. only.
But in cases of barangay lockdowns, the sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited absolutely in areas covered by any barangay lockdown order.
Meanwhile, the curfew is set at 11 p.m. up to 4:00 a.m. and outdoor dine-in is permitted but at 50 percent capacity only.IMT
