THE Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Sunday vowed to close shopping malls found violating quarantine protocols, especially physical distancing regulations.
“(Police) commanders were instructed to warn the management of these malls and make sure that the warning be personally relayed to the mall management and other similar establishments,” said Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, task force commander and PNP deputy chief for operations.
“Other police commanders should also initiate meetings with the mall management to remind them of the protocol and warn them of the consequences if they would fail to observe the protocols,” he added.
Eleazar issued he warning a day after most provinces and cities in the country transitioned last Saturday to general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) categories, where quarantine and health protocols are less strict than the previously imposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Under the more relaxed quarantine levels, the government is allowing the partial resumption of operations of shopping malls nationwide, including those in Metro Manila which was downgraded from ECQ to MECQ, along with Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, Laguna and Angeles City.
The partial reopening of the malls was subject to minimum health standards like the observance of physical distancing and wearing of face mask, which was violated by many, if not all, of the shopping establishments that resumed operations.
Eleazar said he was directed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), not only to close the erring malls but to also file charges against owners and top managers for violation of the Bayanihan Act.
Eleazar said he has received initial reports, subject to validation, that shopping malls tolerated violations of the physical distancing rule among shoppers who flocked to the establishments after two months of staying at home.
Año said while he understood that people were excited to finally be able to leave their homes and visit the malls, he reminded the public that “the restrictions are still there and only one member per household is allowed outside to buy food and medicine” and other essential items.
“Akala yata ng iba free for all na. Kahapon may nakita tayong isang pamilya nakasakay sa kotse pupunta ng mall. (Some may have thought it’s already free for all already. Yesterday, we saw a family in a car going to the mall),” said Año. The family, he said, was told to go home and told that shopping and leisure trips are still not allowed under MECQ.
Año reminded mall owners and managers and their security personnel that they are allowed to operate only at 50 percent capacity. The number of shoppers allowed inside malls at any given time should comply with the two meters per one client computation. For example, if the establishment has an area of 50 square meters, only 25 people are allowed inside the shop at any one time.
“I’m warning our mall owners and mall management that if you cannot implement the minimum health standards and protocols, we will have your malls closed. There will be no negotoiations,” said Año.
Eleazar said police commanders will regularly monitor the movement of people inside the malls in their respective areas of responsibility, and foot patrol will be deployed to ensure physical distancing and the wearing of masks.
MALL APPEAL
Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked the IATF to reconsider its decision to allow the reopening of malls as he expressed concern over a possible spike in COVID-19 infections as people flock to the establishments..
“We haven’t gone past the first wave yet, so I’m not sure about a second wave. I think the IATF should reconsider their decision on the opening of the malls and other similar establishments unless strict physical distancing and other protocols are observed,” Lacson said.
Senate president pro tempore Ralph Recto said he, too, thinks that the first wave of infection is not yet over.
“We haven’t tested much. The stats will speak for itself. But yes, I expect more infections without proper social distancing and non-wearing of masks. We must continue reminding people only to go out for essentials and to practice social distancing and wearing masks and that the virus has not yet been defeated,” Recto said.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said people should have self-discipline when going to malls and other places of convergence and practice health protocols to help contain the spread of the disease.
Sen. Nancy Binay said a number of local government units and national agencies were not prepared when GCQ and MECQ were declared in some areas, which could mean a second wave of infections.
“The second wave which they are saying, we all know that it’s not a question of if, but (is a question of) when. At kung pagbabatayan nating ‘yung bugso ng mga tao kahapon (If we base our observations on the influx of people last Saturday) well, don’t expect just a second wave, prepare for a tsunami,” Binay said
DUTERTE IN DAVAO
President Duterte, following the easing of restrictions in Davao City, flew to his hometown early Saturday morning to visit his family and check on the situation in Mindanao.
Roque said this was Duterte’s first visit to Davao City since the start of the lockdown in March.
Roque said the President will be back in Manila “in time for the next IATF briefing.” The IATF holds regular meetings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
NUMBER CODING
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said the “number-coding” scheme in Metro Manila remains suspended.
But while the scheme is suspended, Garcia said that “we still need to follow the guidelines of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)” and said that personal vehicles will be allowed to travel only if they have essential workers, such as frontliners, medical workers, and other authorized persons, as passengers.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said the DILG has approved the operation of tricycles in Pasig City subject to the following regulations: One passenger only (unless in a health emergency, where an extra passenger is allowed to help the patient); a plastic barrier is put up between the driver and passenger; and the tricycle must be disinfected twice a day. Operating hours will be from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The city government will provide disinfectants to Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) members.
Private tricycles are also allowed to operate as long as they hang a “Not for Hire” sign and limit their passenger to only one, excluding the driver. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Raymond Africa, Noel Talacay and Christian Oineza
