LONGER curfew hours and a total ban on the consumption of liquor in public are now taking effect in Bacolod City.
This, after Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order (EO) No. 31 Series of 2021, an order in the conduct of strict precautionary measures to curb the recent spike and rebound of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections in the exercise of his executive emergency powers.
Based on the EO issued by Leonardia on Sunday night, June 6, 2021, the daily curfew hours in the city shall be observed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
It stated that exemptions shall be made for workers on night shifts, media practitioners, public emergencies like fire, ambulance services, other occasions caused by disaster and calamity, and those requiring medical assistance onboard public utility vehicles or private vehicles.
"Provided further, that the curfew hours may be adjusted at any time within the duration of the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) through the exercise by the city mayor of the emergency powers granted under pertinent city ordinances or any applicable laws," it added.
The EO also sets new guidelines for the implementation of liquor ban in the city.
For the period of this EO, the rules and regulations in the selling of liquor, wine, beer or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage in public places shall continue to be allowed only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
However, the consumption of such alcoholic beverages in public places is totally banned and prohibited, it stated.
For such purpose, Section 1 of Executive Order No. 03 Series of 2021 dated February 09, 2021, entitled "The Gradual Permission in the Sale, Serving and Consumption of Liquor and Alcoholic Beverages at the Allowed Establishments Outside from Private Residences/Places from 6 to 9 o'clock in the evening" is suspended until the lifting of this EO, it added.
Section 2 of the same EO continues to be enforceable, stating that "the serving or selling of liquors, alcoholic drinks and intoxicating beverages at beerhouses, nightclubs, karaoke bars, clubs, or any establishment whose business is to primarily serve or sell liquors or alcoholic drinks shall remain prohibited."
Moreover, the EO stated that persons below 18 years old are mandated to stay at home.
The mayor, in this order, said for purposes of health and safety measures on age-based restrictions, persons below 18 years old are mandated to stay home except when engaged in essential services or by reason of employment.
Vulnerable sector members are also still under home quarantine.
These include any person below 18 years old, those over 65 years old, with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks regardless of age, pregnant women, and any person who resides with all the aforementioned.
As provided for in the "Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines with Amendments as of May 20, 2021," these members of the vulnerable sector shall still be required to remain in their residences at all times except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.
In terms of mass gatherings, the new EO continues to adopt the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Resolution dated March 29, 2021, as affirmed by the Emergency Committee laying down the guidelines in the stringent implementation of health and safety protocols caused by the present Covid-19 infections spike and rebound.
Dine-in restaurants, fast food and food retail establishments including those in supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments should follow a venue or seating capacity of up to 30 percent only.
The same seating capacity shall be observed among barbershops, salons, and other personal care service establishments; church and religious gatherings; and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) events through video conference is preferably advised for its conduct.
"In our intention to arrest the rising number of Covid cases, we strongly appeal to the citizenry to observe all basic health protocols," Leonardia said.
These include correct wearing of face masks and face shields, observing physical distancing while in public places and frequent hand washing, he said.
The local government is also appealing to the public to voluntarily home quarantine themselves as much as possible, the mayor added.