WHEN in Cebu City, fully-vaccinated individuals can now enjoy privileges that are not available for the unvaccinated such as eating inside restaurants or availing themselves of the services of personal care providers.
Acting Mayor Michael Rama issued Executive Order (EO) 138 on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 extending the city’s modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status from Sept. 2 to 7 but relaxing a few restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19.
The EO, referred to as “Oplan Puyo 9-2-7,” states that “food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries are allowed to operate outdoor dine-in services (al fresco) at 50 percent capacity, while indoor dine-in services though allowed is limited at 10 percent capacity and for Covid-19 vaccinated customers only.”
The EO added that personal care services limited to beauty salons, barbershops, beauty parlors, and nail spas are also allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity but only for customers fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Protocol Compliance
These establishments, however, must have a protocol compliance certificate (PCC) issued by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in coordination with the barangay and their personnel must also be vaccinated.
The PCC must be displayed at the entrances of the public establishments, must state the establishments’ venue capacity and allowed capacity, as well as the prohibitions.
“Any violation shall result in the immediate revocation of the PCC,” Rama’s EO stated.
Religious gatherings are also allowed up to 30 percent of the venue capacity, “provided that there is no objection from the Cebu City Government where the religious gathering may take place.”
Protocols and minimum public health standards must be observed, Rama said.
The serving and consumption of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public places are still prohibited, while street traders or ambulant vendors are not allowed to operate except in certain areas duly authorized or designated by the Gasa Board and subject to existing city ordinances and policies.
Rama added that the order will take effect immediately until Sept. 7, unless extended.
Rama is serving as Cebu City’s acting mayor again, from Sept. 2 until Sept. 7, while Mayor Edgardo Labella goes on personal leave again.
Business reaction
Meanwhile, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Felix Taguiam said allowing vaccinated people to dine in will not only help the economy but also push unvaccinated people to get jabbed.
He noted that foot traffic in hotels, malls and restaurants has suffered during the lockdowns.
“With this sentiment, I brought it to the proper authorities that we can’t go on with the lockdowns. We have to live with Covid. We are not asking for 100 percent, maybe 20 percent or what is mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force,” Taguiam said.
“This will encourage and will give a sense of urgency to unvaccinated individuals to go get vaccinated so they can go inside establishments and it will also keep everyone around them safe,” he added.
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion of Go Negosyo has been lobbying the “Bakuna Bubble” scheme before national and local government authorities.
Under Concepcion’s proposed scheme, only vaccinated individuals are given the privilege to enter establishments and ride “vaccinated only” transportation. (JOB, PAC)