JORDAN, Guimaras – Beginning yesterday, Dec. 4, the municipal government here started enforcing “new normal” practices in business establishments and public transport to avert the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In issuing Executive Order No. 61, Series of 2020 for this on Dec. 2, Mayor Ruben Corpuz pointed out that as of Nov. 17, 2020 there had been 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the municipality.
“Upon the recommendation of the Municipal Health Team on the management of COVID-19, there is a need for guidelines in the conduct of new normal practices for business establishments, public transportation and social gatherings with the strict observance of minimum health standards,” he stressed.
These are the “new normal” guidelines/rules for business establishments:
* wearing of facemasks and social distancing shall be practiced at all times
* operating hours for business establishments shall not be earlier than 3 a.m. and not later than 9 p.m., with the log in and log out guidelines for contact tracing purposes
* all business establishments should have a hand washing area at the entrance and a log book
* KTVs or karaoke, sound systems intended for band and disco dancing are prohibited in public places and business establishments
* a maximum of 50 percent capacity for business establishments shall be observed
* a maximum of 50 percent capacity shall be implemented in venues for gatherings and places of worship
* tourism-related businesses may be allowed to operate provided that they comply with the applicable issuances of the Department of Tourism, Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), local government units and other agencies of the government
* serving and/or consuming alcohol in public places are strictly prohibited
These are the guidelines/rules for public transport:
* public utility vehicles (PUVs) including tricycles should have alcohol/sanitizers and a log book for contact tracing purposes
* sea transport at the Jordan Wharf shall be from sunrise to sunset and only with 50 percent capacity; other passenger and cargo vessels and PUVs such as jeepney and tricycle may operate from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
* tricycles should have a maximum of three passengers only
* single motorcycles as public conveyance is prohibited
* social distancing and wearing of facemasks are mandatory
For social gatherings, these are the “new normal” practices:
* attendance in any type of social gathering is highly discouraged
* all Christmas parties, New Year gatherings, reunions and other merry-making activities in all establishments and public places are strictly prohibited
* such gatherings may be allowed inside residences limited to immediate family members only or individuals living in the same household
* virtual gatherings are highly recommended
* face-to-face caroling is strictly prohibited
* in philanthropic activities such as face-to-face gift giving, the minimum health standards shall be observed and shall only accommodate people 50 percent of the venue’s capacity; in the case of house-to-house gift giving, gifts shall be placed outside of the homes with the observance of two-meter social distancing
* food serving as part of gift giving activities are not allowed; takeout meals prepared by a limited number of people following the minimum health standards may be an option;
* religious activities may be allowed virtually or face-to-face with the observance of minimum health standards and shall only accommodate people 50 percent of the venue’s capacity
* parties/social gatherings made in offices may be allowed exclusively for employees only; outside visitors are not allowed;
* open air venues are highly recommended
According to Corpuz, “all entities, establishments and persons who knowingly break health and safety protocols will face appropriate sanctions.”/PN
