THE Local Government of La Trinidad released general community quarantine (GCQ) guidelines in the town effective Monday, May 18.
Mayor Romeo Salda said the guidelines released on Friday, May 15, is based on the previous consultations with barangay officials and stakeholders of the town.
Under the GCQ rules, people in La Trinidad are still mandated to wear face masks in public places as preventive measures against infection of the virus and prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Individuals are also prohibited to wear shorts, slippers, sandals and sando in public places while drinking of liquor, smoking, and spitting of momma are also banned.
Under the GCQ guidelines of the town, loitering is strictly prohibited with coding still in effect including Authorized Person Outside Residence.
Individuals who are below 20 years old and above 60 years old, those with health risks, and pregnant women are not allowed to go out.
Markers will also be placed in public places for residents to follow physical distancing of at least one meter apart.
Establishments must also adhere to the guidelines on sanitation, disinfection, and physical distancing.
Business establishments allowed on GCQ
The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center and other private vegetable trading areas in the town are allowed to operate Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Under GCQ rules, sari-sari stores, food establishments (delivery and take out only), grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, public markets, ‘talipapas’, gasoline stations are allowed to operate.
Also allowed to open are petshops, and agricultural stores while medical and dental clinics with appointments are allowed to operate as walk-in is still prohibited.
Business establishments are allowed to open to only cater to clients on their scheduled market day.
New market schedule is set from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays with no market period on Sunday.
Each family should assign a person to refill food stocks and attend to agricultural, banking, and medical needs.
Starting May 18, market period for barangays Pico and Bineng is set every Mondays; Balili and Alno every Tuesdays; Beckel, Cruz and Poblacion every Wednesdays; Alapang, Shilan and Tawang every Thursdays.
Market day for Barangays Bahong, Puguis and Wangal are every Fridays while Barangays Ambiong, Betag and Lubas market will be every Saturday.
Other establishments allowed to operate are water refilling stations, logistic service providers, hardware stores, construction supplies, aggregates, auto supplies and accessories, office and school supplies and gadget stores.
Repair shops and laundry shops are allowed to operate with a condition of ‘drop, pick and go’ including electronic and power supplies, iron and woodworks, motorcycle and bicycle shops, glass and aluminum supplies, delivery services, funeral services.
Barbershops and Parlors are also allowed only for haircut, as manicure, pedicure and other hair treatment services are still not allowed.
Service providers must wear masks, gloves, and disinfect their tools after use.
Also open under GCQ is the La Trinidad Public Market, printing press, food processing and manufacturing centers, cutflower and ornamental shops and souvenir shops (food items only), dry goods, online sellers with business permit from the LGU, errand riders or delivery boys must secure travel pass from the Mayor’s office.
Not allowed under GCQ
Stores selling second-hand items such as ukay and surplus shop are still not allowed to operate including computer shops, ambulant vendors, furniture shops, gyms and sports facilities, karaoke bars and various types of bars, kids’ amusement industries, toy stores, playgrounds, and tourist destinations.
Not allowed to operate are amusement, leisure, gaming, personal care services, and tourism establishments that promote mass gathering.
Weddings, church activities, assemblies, or any similar crowd drawing activities are also prohibited under GCQ as wakes and burials are limited to immediate families only.
Running, jogging and zumba are also not allowed.
All construction works must comply with the DPWH department order providing construction safety guidelines for the implementation of all DPWH Infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 public health crisis before starting the project.
Employees entering the town must present their valid LGU or company ID along checkpoints.
For returning residents of La Trinidad, basic protocols are set including requirements such as medical certificate from the host city or municipality.
Public transportation
Shuttle services will be provided by companies and agencies to cater to their employees.
As per Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board guidelines, public utility vehicle operators must secure a special permit at LTFRB before their operation.
The LGU added there is no assurance of public transportation on May 18 not unless operators secure their permit.
As of this writing, another consultation for the public transportation sector in the town was also set on the afternoon of May 15.
Salda added after dialogue with public utility jeepney, operators and drivers with the LGU-La Trinidad to present the LTFRB guidelines, Phase 2 of the GCQ guidelines in the town will be posted.