Several businesses in Iloilo City have been ordered to again temporarily shut down as part of stricter measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Jerry Treñas issued an executive order (EO) yesterday, Sept. 24, to address the increasing number of indigenous or local cases of COVID-19 in the city.
“The city has experienced a steady increase of COVID-19 from September 1, 2020, up to the present, which include local transmission of the virus, in almost all sectors of the society,” EO No. 149 stated.
Under the EO, which took effect at 12 noon of Sept. 24 until 11:59 a.m. of Oct. 9, the following industries and activities are “prohibited in any form of community quarantine”:
▪Holding of traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits;
▪Beerhouses and similiar establishments whose primary business is serving alcohol drinks (e.g. night clubs, pubs, and other similar establishments;
▪Children’s amusement industries (e.g. playrooms, rides, and other similar establishments);
▪Barbershops, salons and like establishments;
▪All othee establishments offering personal care and aesthetic; procedures and services;
▪Gyms and fitness studios;
▪Testing and turorial sercices;
▪review centers;
▪Internet cafes, provided that the internet and computer services will be used strictly for educational purposes or for work only;
▪Drive-in cinemas;
▪Pet grooming services;
▪Language driving, dance/acting/voice schools;
▪Entertainment industries (e.g. traditional cinemas, theaters and, and like businesses;
▪Libraries, archives museums and cultural centers;
▪Tourist destinations (e.g. water parks, beaches, resorts, and like businesses;
▪Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation services, and related activities;
▪Tattoo and body piercing;
▪Live events, including conferences, seminars, and other like gatherings; and
▪Other forms of unauthorized public gatherings.
Hotels and other accommodation establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) are allowed to operate at 30 percent venue capacity.
Dine-in services for dining establishments, restaurants, and food establishments are also allowed to operate at 50 percent venue capacity.
“Establishments and businesses not specifically identified in this Executive Order shall strictly comply with the minimum health standards and safety measures and shall operate at 50 percent venue capacity,” the EO stated.
On the other hand, the consumption of any form of liquor and alcoholic beverages, or any alcoholic drink containing a specific percentage of alohol by volume and weight are prohibited.
Pregnant women, persons with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals were “advised” to stay at home, “except to access food, medicines, and other essentials.”
Curfew is set from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Those working in BPOs/KPOs, warehouses and logistics, ports, arrastre, food manufacturing, storage and preservation, hospitals, media and other similar businesses are exempted.
Meanwhile, Treñas said jeepneys and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) are allowed to operate as long as the one-meter distancing is observed by passengers.
The city, which is currently under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine), also remains open Western Visayas residents despite the implementation of stricter lockdown protocols.
“We did not recommend border controls because we do not want business establishments to be much affected,”Treñas said.IMT
Photo by Arnold Almacen
