DOS AND DON’TS UNDER MGCQ

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Iloilo City government on Tuesday issued Executive Order No. 140 placing the city under the “less restrictive” modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) and setting the kind of industries that can operate.

To recall, the national interagency task force on the management of emerging infectious diseases placed the city under general community quarantine from Aug 15-31, 2020 due to the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases.

Unlike in previous community quarantines which lasted for two weeks only, the new timeline is now 30 days or one month. Thus, the city will be under MGCQ from Sept 1-30.

Under EO 140, the prohibited activities are:

­-Holding of traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits;

-Beerhouses and similar establishments whose primary business is serving of alcoholic drinks (e.g. nightclubs, pubs, and other similar establishments); and

-Children’s amusement industries (e.g. playrooms, rides, and other similar establishments).

Sectors that are allowed to operate at 50% venue capacity with strict compliance with the minimum health standards and safety measures against COVID-19 such as wearing of face masks and face shields and safe distancing are:

-Hotels and other accommodation establishments, provided that they have been accredited and allowed to operate by the Department of Tourism;

-Establishments offering personal care services and aesthetic procedures and services (including full body massage);

-Gyms and fitness studios;

-Testing and tutorial services;

-Review centers;

-Internet cafes, provided that the computer and interne services will be used strictly for educational purposes or for work only;

-Drive-in cinemas;

-Pet grooming services;

-Language/driving, dance/acting/voice schools;

-Entertainment industries (e.g. traditional cinemas, theaters, and like businesses);

-Libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers;

-Tourist destinations (e.g. water parks, beaches, resorts, and like businesses);

-Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation services and related activities;

-Tattoo and body piercing; and

-Live events, subject to DOT guidelines on meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions and business events

The following sectors are allowed to operate at 75% percent venue capacity:

-Dine-in services for dining establishments, restaurants, and food establishments; and

-Barbershops and salons.

The EO said all workplaces, both public and private are encouraged to practice alternative work arrangements for employees who are more than 60 years old, those with comorbidities and immunodeficiencies and other health risks, and pregnant women in accordance with the issuances of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Establishments and businesses not specifically identified in the Executive Order shall strictly comply with the minimum health standards and safety measures and shall operate at 100% operating capacity, not exceeding 50% venue capacity, unless a different capacity is prescribed by the IATF and Department of Trade and Industry.

Work in government offices may be at 100% operational capacity, or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem appropriate in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Individual and group outdoor exercises including non-contact sports, such as golf, tennis, table tennis, swimming and the like, shall be allowed, provided that minimum public health standards shall be strictly enforced, as appropriate.

For this purpose, public exercise parks, such as Esplanade shall be open for the public, with strict compliance with the minimum health standards and safety measures and such other measures applicable to the enumerated industries to prevent the spread of COV1D-19.

 

LIQUOR BAN LIFTED BUT…

EO 140 also lifted the liquor ban in Iloilo City but subject to some restrictions:

-Establishments such as restaurants, tiangge, sari-sari stores convenience stores, community stores (and other like establishments), shall be prohibited from selling and dispensing of alcoholic liquor and beverages after 6 pm.

The public consumption of any alcoholic beverage in restaurants shall be prohibited after 8 pm, and if physical distancing cannot be observed. The public consumption of liquor in public places, such as tiangge, sari-sari stores convenience stores, community stores (and other like establishments), sidewalks shall be prohibited for the entire duration of the MGCQ. c.

All establishments dispensing and selling alcoholic drinks may face appropriate sanctions, including violations of Republic Act No. 11332, and possible closure of business shall be imposed if this executive order is not observed.

-Individuals, and persons may face appropriate liabilities and penalties if the prohibitions on the consumption of liquor in public shall not be observed. The appropriate penalties prodded for under Republic Act No. 11332, and other applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and issuances shall be imposed.

Also, the curfew has been adjusted from 8 pm to 4 pm to 10 pm to 4 am.

The following sectors are exempted from the curfew: BPOs / KPOs, warehouses and logistics (and similar businesses), ports, arrastre, food manufacturing, storage and preservation, hospitals, media, and other similar business or occupations require the employees to go to work after the curfew hours.

 

VULNERABLE SECTORS

The city government may still impose “allowable restrictions” on the movement of persons belonging to vulnerable sectors such as persons more than 60 years of age; or those below 21 years of age; pregnant women; persons with comorbidities, immuno-deficiencies and other risk factors; and persons with disabilities.

As a general policy, the movement of vulnerable persons shall be limited only to accessing food, medicines, and other essentials; seeking medical or clinical care; or to go to a hospital; or to seek medical consultation, care and intervention.

Persons who live with vulnerable persons are allowed to go to work and subject to the same restrictions and exceptions, provided that these persons are not dose contacts or are not confined in a COVED-19 isolation or quarantine facility.