IPPO, mall admins discuss post-ECQ safety protocols

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Police and mall managements discussed on Wednesday safety protocols that will be imposed once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is lifted.

Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) chief, said they expect the public to go to malls in droves after being “locked” at home for two months.

“There would be several reasons why they would want to spend time in malls – makipagkita sa mga kaibigan, magpapa-aircon kasi masyadong mainit ngayon, or they just simply want to go out,” he said.

But Lucas, along with managers and security officers of malls in Iloilo province, made it clear that protocols would still be in place even if the province shifts to the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ).

“We agreed that there must be one entry – one exit policy,” he said.

Lucas said they will limit the number of people entering malls or grocery stores.

The mall managements were asked to determine the open space area, which would be divided by 2.5 meters.

“That would be the maximum number of persons who would be allowed inside the mall at a given time,” he said.

But Lucas said they would not set time limits for mall goers.

The security personnel, though, were instructed to look out for persons who appear to be loitering.

“If they could not present any reason why they need to stay longer, they would be asked to leave. If they would not comply with security personnel, we have policemen to deal with them,” he said.

Lucas also said they would not allow the entry of persons 20 years old and below and 60 years old and above.

“Wearing of face masks would still be mandatory to all mall goers,” he said.

Iloilo province is among the areas in the country where ECQ was extended until May 15 as recommended by the National Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19.

Iloilo province has 18 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Lucas said they will also impose physical distancing in public transports.

Public utility jeepneys, buses, and vans can only ferry 50 percent of their original capacity.

Tricycles would be allowed at most two passengers. Drivers also need to place dividers in between the passengers.