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Bacolod bans sale of liquor, orders closure of internet cafés

By Nanette Guadalquiver

March 25, 2020, 7:43 pm

<p><strong>MORE STRINGENT MEASURES.</strong> A copy of Executive Order No. 25 issued by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, prohibiting the selling of liquor and ordering the closure of videoke bars and internet stations in the city starting Wednesday (March 25, 2020). The move is part of the more stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. <em>(Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)</em></p>

MORE STRINGENT MEASURES. A copy of Executive Order No. 25 issued by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, prohibiting the selling of liquor and ordering the closure of videoke bars and internet stations in the city starting Wednesday (March 25, 2020). The move is part of the more stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio Leonardia has prohibited the selling of liquor and ordered the closure of videoke bars and internet stations in the city starting Wednesday as part of the more stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“There is now an urgent necessity for the implementation of more stringent forms of social distancing to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 and it is the intention of the city government to undertake more specific measures to effectively protect its citizens,” the mayor stated in Executive Order No. 25.

He said the selling, serving, and consumption of liquor and other similarly intoxicating drinks encourage gatherings and close contact among people, thereby defeating the objectives of community quarantine.

The mayor said the city government has been receiving complaints and reports of violation of social distancing measures in karaoke and videoke bars, and internet cafés and gaming stations, where persons, particularly minors and youth, converge and socialize without regard to the declared health regulations combating Covid-19.

In EO No. 25, Section 1 prescribes that the selling/serving by any business establishment or any person of liquors, alcoholic beverages, coconut wine, and other nature wines and the like which causes intoxication is prohibited while Section 2 states the consumption of liquor and any alcoholic beverage in public is also prohibited.

Moreover, Section 3 states all karaoke and videoke bars and establishments, internet cafés or gaming stations, including Pisonet businesses, are closed to the public.

On March 15, Leonardia placed the city under a general community quarantine, restricted all land, sea and air travel to and from Bacolod, and enforced curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The mayor also suspended the holding of mass gatherings and public events involving a large number of attendees.

As of March 24, records of the City Health Office (CHO) showed that 26 patients under investigation (PUIs) have been admitted to Bacolod hospitals since February 22.

The PUIs include 15 males and 11 females. So far, 24 specimens have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), of which one came out positive while 15 tested negative. Six results are still pending.

Samples from two patients are set for transport to RITM on Wednesday while two PUIs have yet to be tested for lack of swab kits.

A 56-year-old male has tested positive for Covid-19 while a 60-year-old male, who had colon cancer but tagged as PUI, died due to difficulty of breathing on March 17.

A total of eight PUIs are currently confined in the isolation units of different hospitals.

Meanwhile, there are 1,526 persons under monitoring in Bacolod, records of CHO also showed. (PNA)

 

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