THE Cebu City Government through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has issued compliance certificates to 178 restaurant bars (restobars) to sell liquor in Cebu City.

These establishments, which opened to the public as early as Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, had completed processing their requirements, according to Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the EOC.

Under Acting Mayor Michael Rama’s Executive Order (EO) 143, the serving and/or consumption of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited except in authorized establishments subject to curfew.

In relation to this, Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy chief for operations, announced that the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) had apprehended 17 individuals due to the liquor ban since Oct. 1.

Under Oplan Bulabog conducted in the first nine days of October, the CCPO with 11 police stations and the Cebu Mobile Force Company also apprehended 1,243 individuals who violated the curfew and and 479 who did not wear a face mask. The curfew is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day.

Garganera reminded bar owners and managers to follow the rules under EO 143 issued last Sept. 30, 2021 which allows the serving of liquor from Oct. 1 to 30 while the city is still under general community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Under EO 143, bars are allowed to serve liquor provided that the customers and employees are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and that only 30 percent of the capacity is allowed in closed restobars.

Al fresco restaurants can accommodate up to 75 percent of their capacity, but they cannot serve liquor. They may accommodate both customers who are vaccinated and unvaccinated against Covid-19. (PAC)