ILOILO – After three days of stringent lockdown, Passi City’s public market is now operational.
Mayor Stephen Palmares over the weekend announced the reopening that comes with stricter safety health protocols to stem the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We cannot prolong the closure of our public market especially now that Passi City is under the enhanced community quarantine. People have to buy goods or food,” Palmares said.
In easing the restriction, the mayor cited the turnout of the recent widespread testing covering more than 600 vendors – 166 turned out positive and around 450 were negative.
“Mangin istrikto na kita sa pag-implement sang health protocols inside the public market,” Palmares told Panay News.
He prohibited vendors without negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test results from reopening their stores or stalls.
Personnel of the Local Economic Enterprise Office were also deployed to ensure vendors and market-goers comply with the minimum health standards like wearing of facemasks and face shield and social distancing.
Prior to entering the market, Palmares required everyone to undergo several procedures. Temperature scanning (those who register a temperature of 37.5 degree Celsius or higher will be denied entry), checking of Valid ID (only those who are 21-59 years old are allowed entry), hand and foot sanitation (through alcohol application and foot bath).
A “one entrance, one exit” policy was implemented to avoid people from converging.
Residents must also bring with them their quarantine passes and present these to authorities upon entry to the market, which, Palmares assured, was thoroughly disinfected for two days.
Passi began its two-week enhanced community quarantine on Jan. 28 following a surge of infections at the public market.
Here are some of the dos and don’ts:
* all establishments are closed except those that are providing food, water and other related necessities
* all establishments providing health needs such as hospitals, medical clinics, medical facilities, diagnostic centers and laboratories, dental clinics, pharmacies and drug stores are allowed to open
* all restaurants, fast food chains and food stalls are closed
* market is operational every day but scheduled market day (Monday) is suspended
* factories and plants engaged in the manufacturing, processing, and storage of basic food producers and health needs; banks, pawnshops, money transfer services and payment and remittance centers are allowed to operate
* selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing and transporting of alcoholic beverages are prohibited
* people who came from Iloilo City, provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Aklan and Capiz who wish to pass through Passi City are allowed, however, entry of non-residents in Passi City are not allowed.
* Curfew hours are set from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m.
* Checkpoints at the exit and entrance of Passi City and of every barangay are installed. Only residents of Passi City are allowed by the policemen and barangay tanods to enter the city or barangay provided that they present their identification cards.
* Public gatherings such as birthdays, religious gatherings, wedding and baptism receptions are also prohibited until Feb. 1
*All public utilities providing transportation, power, energy, water, telecommunications and cargo handlings, agricultural supply stores, gasoline stations, LPG stores, and all funeral businesses are also allowed to open under ECQ provided that public viewing and wakes are prohibited./PN
