CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella has yet to decide whether to allow internet cafes to resume operations, as he is worried about crowd control.
The Department of Trade and Industry recently allowed internet cafes to operate at 30 percent capacity along with review centers, gyms and sports facilities.
However, the mayor, in Executive Order (EO) 86 that he signed and issued Friday night, July 31, 2020, made no mention of review centers, gyms and sports facilities.
Should he decide to allow internet cafes to open, Labella said he will require these establishments to comply with health protocol to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
He wants them to install barriers and exhaust fans, among others.
Labella is scheduled to meet with the Philippine National Police to discuss how to avoid mass gatherings in internet cafes.
As for religious activities, Labella said big churches should limit the number of people inside to a maximum of 10 persons. That includes the Basilica del Sto. Niño, he said.
“Badlungon nato (if they allow more than 10 inside the Basilica) kay naa may lagda (We will reprimand since there are guidelines),” said Labella. “If managkot okay ra kay di man magdugay (But it’s okay if people just light candles since they don’t tend to stay long),” he said.
Labella said he appeal to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow more than 10 persons for religious activities, but the DILG turned him down.
Under EO 86, only gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities are allowed, but subject to health protocol.
For visits to open-air memorial parks and cemeteries, the EO provided for gatherings of not more than 10 persons per group. (JJL)