EFFECTIVE Wednesday, February 3, 2021, Cebu City Government will not allow the drinking of alcoholic drinks in public places and the police, military, and barangay officials are directed to implement Executive Order No. 117.

On March 16, 2020, the Cebu City Government imposed a total liquor ban while the city was under the state of General Community Quarantine, but it was lifted in October 2020, under Executive Order No. 94, when the city was placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Labella's Executive Order No. 117 prohibits establishments from serving alcoholic drinks in places where the public gathers.

WHY REIMPOSE LIQUOR BAN

1. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) noted the increase in the number of Covid-19 infections that happened after the holidays when people gathered for celebrations.

2. Despite the imposition of limitations on the serving of alcoholic beverages, some business establishments have been caught serving liquor beyond what is allowed by the Department of Trade and Industry.

3. As a measure to prevent non-essential social gatherings in public places and to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease.

It is observed that during drinking spree in gatherings, social distancing is ignored and face masks and face shields are removed. Under this situation the spread of Covid-19 is high.

WHAT IS PROHIBITED

Any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, convenience stores, sari-sari stores, and other establishments are prohibited to serve and/or drink intoxicating liquor in any public place within the City of Cebu for the entire duration of any form of community quarantine.

WHAT IS ALLOWED

Hotels, resorts, and other accommodation establishments are allowed to serve liquor only for their in-house guests, under Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry guidelines.

Grocery, sari-sari, and convenience stores are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages provided it will be consumed at the buyer's residence.

PENALTY

Business establishments found violating the EO may lose their business permit.

The liquor ban was reimposed as the City logged 142 new cases on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, with a total of 1,613 total active cases. (PAC/MVG)