THE Cebu City Government has reimposed the liquor ban and extended curfew hours starting Sunday, July 25, 2021, due to the steady increase in the number of positive coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Executive Order 136, Series of 2021 signed by Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama states that the liquor ban will last for a month.
The order prohibits any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, convenience stores, sari-sari stores and other establishments, from serving intoxicating liquor in any public place within the city.
However, hotels, resorts and other accommodation establishments are allowed to serve liquor only for their in-house guests under guidelines of the Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry.
Curfew hours in Cebu City will now start at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. and last until 4 a.m. This applies to all persons and business establishments authorized to operate.
Authorized persons outside of residence, business process outsourcing employees, industries such as food and essential deliveries allowed to operate within curfew hours, health workers and government agencies providing emergency services are exempted from the curfew.
Rama also mandated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Business Permit and Licensing Office, Philippine National Police, Cebu City Police Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Cebu City Prevention Restoration Beautification and Enhancement team to implement the order.
The EOC earlier proposed implementing stricter measures in the city to curb the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Felix Taguiam, in a separate interview, said they support the return of the liquor ban and the adjustment of curfew hours.
Taguiam said the public has become complacent by not following minimum public health standards.
“I will support more strict enforcement with the marshals to implement the curfew. We have been doing good, but people are getting complacent,” he said.
He said the City should learn from past mistakes.
“What we are asking is just super strict compliance. Not closure (of businesses). Let’s just tell the public, at this time, we just need cooperation,” he said.
According to the Department of Health 7 case bulletin, Cebu City has 2,085 active Covid-19 cases, as of Sunday, July 25.
Mobility restriction
In Lapu-Lapu City, only fully vaccinated persons can enter malls, department stores, convenience stores and public markets.
Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan issued an EO on Monday, imposing stricter measures to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases in the city.
Based on his order, which will end on Aug. 25, all forms of sports, contact and non-contact, as well as mass gatherings like zumba, group exercises, fiestas, general assemblies, work-related conferences, trainings and other activities that attract a lot of people are not allowed.
Residents can only leave their homes for work and other activities allowed under a modified general community quarantine status.
Not included in the ban are birthday parties, weddings and baptisms. However, participants must follow minimum health standards like wear masks and observe social distancing. Venues can only operate on a 50-percent capacity. Residents must also strictly follow the curfew, which starts at 11 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. Drinking in public is also prohibited.
Wakes can still be held but only for a maximum of three days and attendees must follow the curfew.
Hotels and resorts can still serve liquor to guests but this must be consumed inside premises.
Public or private videokes and karaokes are strictly prohibited, but videoke and karaoke bars are allowed to operate as long as they only serve food to customers.
The City Government also urged locators at the Mactan Economic Zones to provide free shuttle services for their workers.
Restaurants and eateries can remain open but they must operate on 50-percent capacity.
Take-out orders, especially during the curfew, must be contact-less.
Police in the city, force multipliers in the barangays and personnel of the City Traffic Management System have been ordered to arrest violators.
The Business Permit Licensing Office will inspect establishments to ensure they comply with the provisions of the EO.
Violators will be slapped with the appropriate penalties and sanctions. (JGS, JOB, MVE, GCM / PJB)