ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has ordered the temporary closure of bars, beer houses and karaoke bars in the city starting March 16.

Lazatin also ordered the temporary closure of cinemas, internet cafes, spa and massage businesses, and other non-essential establishments to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

"We are doing everything we can to protect our people amid the rising case of Covid-19. Kapag hindi sila [owners] sumunod, ipapasara natin sila ng tuluyan at tatanggalan ng Mayor's permit. Closure is still indefinite. In this time, we must limit our people's movements," Lazatin said.

The closure order would not apply to malls, supermarkets, groceries, food stores and restaurants, pharmacies, banks, and other similar stores that are providing basic commodities to the public.

Lazatin is appealing to Angeleños to just go outside if necessary or if they just need to. He is also asking the parents to let their children stay at home. According to him, by doing this, "we are ensuring the safety of our kids and families."

"Nakikiusap po ako, kung hindi naman po importante, huwag na muna po tayong lumabas. At kung lalabas man po tayo, siguraduhin po nating magdala lagi ng alcohol at hand sanitizer," he said.

Lazatin said the city is ready to address Covid-19 as there are already container van facilities installed near Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC), also known as Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA), which will be used by the city as holding areas for patients under investigation (PUI).

Meanwhile, according to Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas, Lazatin ordered the emergency purchase of 230 sacks of rice and 500 boxes of canned goods to augment the city's food stockpile and assure there will be available supplies to indigent families.

Members of the City Social Welfare and Development Office recently repacked more than 5,000 relief goods.

Calaguas added that the City Government already purchased face masks, biohazard suits and other medical equipment, including Covid-19 testing kits to ensure that Angeles City is ready amid the state of public health emergency currently faced by the country.