ILOILO – Aside from lifting border control checkpoints, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also opted not to extend the ban on liquor sale and consumption starting today, July 1.
Public mobility, meanwhile, is still limited to accessing essential goods and work, and to business establishments allowed to operate.
The National Inter-Agency Task Force extended this province’s modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until July 15.
Yesterday, Defensor issued a new executive order “for intensified prevention, detection, isolation, treatment and reintegration under MECQ and to implement socioeconomic recovery plan” wherein provisions on the liquor ban have been omitted.
He banned the consumption of liquor for the whole month of June to prevent gatherings that may cause coronavirus transmission.
“With the non-extension of the ban, we refer to the original (ordinance) sa pag-regulate sini,” Defensor told Panay News.
He was referring to Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-235 which regulates the selling, furnishing, offering, buying, dispensing and transporting of liquor, coconut wine, and other nature wine, and alcoholic beverages, including the selling and drinking in public places, within the province of Iloilo.
Every day from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in this province, dispensing alcoholic drinks – or consuming them in public – is prohibited.
The ordinance’s Section 4 (Regulated Acts) mandates the following:
* No person or business establishment is allowed to sell, furnish, offer, buy, dispense and serve any liquor or coconut wine and other nature wine, or any alcoholic beverages to any person from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., except on occasions permitted by the mayor.
* No person is allowed to drink liquor, coconut wine, other nature wine, or any alcoholic beverages in public places except on occasions permitted by the mayor, during religious masses and wedding ceremonies.
* No person or business establishments is allowed to sell, furnish, offer, buy, dispense and serve any liquor or coconut wine and other nature wine or any alcoholic beverages to minors.
Defensor clarified that any form of gatherings are still strictly prohibited.
Meanwhile, as to the movement restrictions, persons who are below 15 years old, and those who are 65 years old and above, pregnant women, and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks, shall be required to remain in their residents at all times.
The abovementioned persons may only leave their residences:
* when indispensable for access in essential goods and services and no other person in the household can be designated for such purpose
* for work and /or business in allowed industries and livelihood sectors, and
* for individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running, or biking within the area of their residence.
On the other hand, Defensor said these establishments, persons and activities are still not permitted to operate, work or to be undertaken.
* entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters and cinemas
* recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys and similar venues
* amusement parks or theme parks, fairs/peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddies rises
* outdoor sports courts or venues for contact sports, scrimmages, games or activities
* indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gym, spas or other indoor leisure centers or facilities and swimming pools
* outdoor tourist attractions, including recreation activities in public beaches, inland and other tourist spots
* personal care services which include barbershops, beauty parlors, medical aesthetic clinics, cosmetic or derma clinics, make up salons, reflexology, aesthetics wellness, and holistic centers and other similar establishments, acupuncture and electrocuatery establishments and massage therapy including sports therapy establishments
Home service for the above activities is likewise not permitted.
Further, food preparation establishments such as kiosk, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries are allowed to mag-operate but “limited to take out and delivery only”.
Tourism establishments for leisure and recreational purposes are still closed.
Defensor encouraged the Ilonggos to practice the 3Ms strategy – Magmaska, Mangdistansya and Manghinaw – in their homes or workplaces./PN
