HOW THE NEW NORMAL LOOKS LIKE: First of five parts

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Emme Rose Santiagudo

Reopening Iloilo City after the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 crisis is far from the normalcy before the pandemic hit.

This is based on the lockdown exit plan submitted by a group of University of the Philippines Visayas professors composed of Maria Elisa Baliao, Rhodella Ibabao, Hanny John Mediodia, Cristabel Parcon, Juhn Cris Espia and Vicente Balinas.

The UPV team includes experts in sociology, political science, urban planning and governance, economics, and mathematics/statistics.

Based on the plan submitted by the UPV team to Mayor Jerry Treñas, it proposed a phased reopening as “a strategy that will protect the people from the virus allowing life to progressively return to normal, albeit a ‘new normal’.”

Some factors must be considered by decision makers in the phased reopening of certain activities:

• Contribution of the sector/industry in the delivery of services for general welfare and safety – (General Welfare & Safety factor)

• Capacity of the LGU to regulate and monitor strict physical distancing measures and contact tracing (Institutional Factor)

• Issuances from the national government and sector/industry specific entities – (Legal factor)

• Capacity of the LGU to maintain mass testing – (Institutional & Financial factor)
• Percentage of recovery is higher than death among confirmed COVID 19 cases – (Health factor)

• Low percentage of recovered COVID 19 patients testing positive again from the disease (Health Factor)

• Social acceptability of proposed actions from various sectors- (Social Factor)
• Other considerations

 

The proposed prioritization of reopening is in the following order:

1st – work

2nd- school activities

3rd – leisure activities

4th – travel

“The schedule of reopened activities and the conduct of mandatory activities (ex. Curfew and restrictions of certain items or activities) can be modified, lifted, lengthened, shortened, or put in place again depending on the results of earlier mentioned factors,” according to the plan.

The plan proposed that while the lockdown will be lifted, certain rules must remain in place such as physical distancing, wearing of masks, provision of alcohol and sanitizers in workplaces and stores, constant disinfecting measures, use of non-contact thermal scanners, require employees to accomplish daily health interview cards, and abide by other IATF-EID, World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health (DOH), and Iloilo City Health Office issuances.

Ordinance No 2020-056 imposing mandatory curfew over the entire city from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. shall be continued even during the easing of the ECQ starting May 1, 2020.

 

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

While the city gradually lifts the ECQ, the UP team recommended that the following businesses will continue to operate: (1) public markets; (2) sari-sari stores, supermarkets, and groceries; (3) convenience stores; (4) diagnostic centers, laboratories; (5) pharmacies and drug stores; (6) water-refilling stations; (7) laundry shops; (8) manufacturing and processing plants or commissaries of basic food products and medicines; (9) banks, pawn shops; (10)money transfer services, payment and remittance centers; (11) public utilities (power, energy, water and telecommunications); (12) transportation (bus, taxis and public utility vehicles); (13) hardware stores; (14) gasoline stations (including stores that sell LPG); (15) burial and crematory services, provided that public viewing and wake are not held; (16) food preparations, takeout and delivery services of restaurants, fast food chains and other dining establishments; however, dine-in clients are strictly prohibited; (17) business process outsourcing (BPO) and KPO companies; (18) media outlets; (19) automobile repair shops; (20) other establishments allowed by the city government.

The following establishments, however, will remain closed in the meantime: (1) pubs, clubs, nightclubs and casinos; (2) cinemas and theaters; (3) indoor and outdoor fitness venues such as gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools or sporting venues; (4) health and wellness facilities including health clubs, yoga, saunas, and wellness centers; (5) open house inspections; (6) personal beauty services (including spas, massage and tattoo parlors, nail, tanning and waxing salons); (6) strip clubs, brothels and sex on-premises venues; (7) amusement parks and arcades; (8) indoor and outdoor play centers; and (9) galleries, museums, libraries, and historic sites.

With scientific evidence suggesting that school closures can reduce infection rates during, the same should be remain in place in the meantime. Houses of worship are large gathering venues and opening of these spaces may cause the fast spread of COVID-19. Group religious activities are banned as well.

Weddings and funerals can also be allowed but with limited number of people.

Weddings can have no more than 10 people (the couple, couple’s parents, 2 witnesses, priest or pastor and his assistant). Funerals can have no more than 15 people in attendance as well (including the priest or pastor and his assistant and the funeral parlor service crew).

Attendees should keep a distance from each other of at least 1 meter. They should all be wearing their masks. Hand sanitizers should be within easy reach of all attendees. No more social gathering (reception after the wedding or snacks after the funeral) after the wedding ceremony or funeral.

 

TRANSPORTATION

The UP team also suggested gradual lifting of bans and modifications of specific practices and activities on specific sectors or industries.

For one, the city can allow half of the total number of public utility jeepneys (PUJ) to operate daily.

“Drivers associations are expected to come up with a management plan on how this can benefit all their members. This 50% scheme, however, needs to be reviewed regularly throughout the period to address issues and concerns that may crop up. Issues may be related to drivers’ concerns or that of the riding public,” the team said.

PUJs should also abide by certain restrictions like the curfew time of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The city government will also provide jeepney passes to the drivers’ associations. Jeepneys can only operate if they have jeepney passes. The passes will be inspected at designated checkpoints to ensure compliance. Jeepney drivers operating without passes will be suspended.

Jeepneys are only allowed to take in a maximum of 8 passengers, including the driver. Physical distancing should be enforced by providing markers on the seats of the jeepney. Drivers should wear cloth face mask all the time while they are driving. Those caught without face masks should be fined. They should carry sanitizers with them all the time. All passengers are required to wear face masks. Jeepneys should carry a signage of NO MASK NO RIDE POLICY.

The city government can also allow 50 percent of the total number of taxis to operate except during curfew hours. Just like the PUJs, the city will also issue passes to the taxis for compliance.

Taxis can ferry three passengers only, including the driver. Physical distancing should be enforced by requesting passengers to sit at the back and marking the seats.

Taxis should have a bottle of disinfectant to allow taxi drivers to disinfect their units after every ride. Drivers should also have alcohol in the taxi for use.

The same 50% scheme and issuance of passes will also be imposed on tricycles and trisikads. They are also barred from plying the streets during curfew hours.