BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF), upon the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte, extended the general community quarantine (GCQ) in this city until the end of the month.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, stressed this is going to be a GCQ “with heightened restrictions.”
What are these heightened restrictions?
Religious activities, weddings, baptisms, and wakes are allowed at 10 percent of the venue’s total capacity but local government units (LGUs) can allow up to 30 percent.
Personal care services such as barber shops, hair salons and spas are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity; however, it could be raised to 40 percent if the establishment can secure a Safety Seal from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Outdoor tourist attractions are also allowed to operate but only at 30 percent capacity.
Indoor dining in restaurants is also allowed at 20 percent capacity, while outdoor dining is limited to 50 percent. And just like the personal services, dining establishments may be allowed to operate an additional 10 percent capacity if they have a Safety Seal from the DTI.
However, still prohibited from reopening under GCQ with heightened restrictions are leisure establishments that include:
* entertainment venues such as bars, concert halls, theaters
* recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiards halls, arcades
* amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds, kiddie rides
* indoor sports courts and venues and indoor tourist attractions
* venues for meetings, conferences, exhibitions
On Wednesday, Mayor Evelio Leonardia appealed to the NIATF to reconsider its recommendation placing the city under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
In a letter addressed to Health secretary Francisco Duque III, Leonardia pointed out that many Bacolodnons already lost their jobs and businesses because of the prolonged community quarantine.
“We cannot afford more restrictions with dire consequences to our economy and cause more hardships to already suffering families,” he stressed.
Negros Occidental also maintained its GCQ status.
Meanwhile, Aklan and Antique will also be under GCQ with heightened restrictions for the remainder of July, while Capiz is under GCQ with heightened restrictions until July 22./PN
