ILOILO – This province starts being under a general community quarantine (GCQ) today until May 31 unless extended or lifted earlier.
The list of businesses and industries that may now operate has gotten longer as Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. further reduced the number of those still prohibited from reopening.
What are these prohibited establishments?
Under Section 11 of Defensor’s Executive Order No. imposing the GCQ, the following are not allowed to operate:
* establishments in the leisure industry
* establishments in the tourism and recreation industry
* amusement and gaming establishments
* fitness establishments
Hotels and similar establishments for accommodation are also prohibited from operating. However, they may accept the following: foreign guests who have existing booking accommodations as of May 1, 2020; guests who have existing long-term bookings; distressed overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals; repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine measures; and non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine.
Defensor stressed the importance of stimulating the province’s economy now after two months of quarantine, and what better way to do this than by reopening businesses?
He, however, stressed that social distancing measures must be shall be observed.
What are these businesses and industries?
* those providing food/water and other related necessities
* those providing essential health/medical hygiene products
* those providing other basic necessities (ex. agricultural supply stores, hardware stores, auto supplies, gasoline stations, liquefied petroleum gas)
* non-essential, non-leisure wholesale and/or retail establishments
* manufacturing/processing of basic food products
* services providing for health needs (ex. hospitals, medical facilities and laboratories)
* veterinary clinics
* logistics service providers/common carriers, engaged in cargo handling, warehousing and freight hauling/forwarding
* financial services providers, such as (banks, stock markets, credit facilities, pawnshops, money transfer services; and payment and remittance centers
* professional services, such as, but not limited to legal services, accounting and auditing services; and scientific and technical services
* services in the personal care industry, such as, barber shops and beauty parlors, provided that only haircut and other similar essential personal care services shall be allowed; services involving substantial physical contact such as massage and manicure shall not be allowed
* public utilities providing for power, energy, water, telecommunications, information technology, and waste management
* other essential services, such as postal and courier services; repair and installation of machinery and equipment; leasing and rental of machineries and equipment; repair of IT equipment and other essential household appliances; security services; laundry services; funeral services
* business and knowledge process outsourcing companies
* media
* agriculture, fisheries and forestry
* companies/firms engaged in the manufacturing/processing of export products
* mining and quarrying
* essential public and private construction projects, such as, but not limited to, sewerage, water services facilities, health facilities, and such other priority projects
* shopping centers and malls
“If the economy is not functioning, the community quarantine won’t be sustainable and it will not be effective,” explained Defensor.
He described as a “bigger challenge” the recovery of the local economy “while implementing effective quarantine measures.”/PN
