PARTIAL LIQUOR BAN. The sale, serving, and consumption of liquor and alcoholic drinks in hotels, restaurants, and other dine-establishments in Bacolod City are now permitted from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m based on the EO 3 issued late Tuesday night (Feb. 9, 2021). However, the city’s partial liquor ban remains in full force and the sale of liquor or any alcoholic beverages is still allowed only from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and consumption of such should only be done within private residences. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY – After almost a year, the City of Bacolod has allowed the sale, serving, and consumption of liquor and alcoholic beverages in hotels, restaurants, and other dine-establishments on a gradual basis.
In Executive Order 3, series of 2021, issued late Tuesday night, Mayor Evelio Leonardia gave the green light to ease the partial liquor ban, permitting such allowed establishments to serve alcoholic drinks to their guests between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
“Based on the data collected by the Emergency Operations Center, the city is experiencing the flattening of the curve in Covid-19 infections…that the city may gradually relax some of its stringent prohibitions…gearing towards economic boost,” the mayor said in the directive.
However, serving and selling of liquors, alcoholic drinks, and intoxicating drinks in beerhouses, night clubs, karaoke bars, or any establishment whose business is to primarily serve and sell liquors are still prohibited.
In Bacolod, the partial liquor ban, as provided in EO 2, series of 2021 and dated January 31, remains in full force and effect. This means the sale of liquor, wine, beer, or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverages are still allowed only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and consumption of such should only be done within private residences.
“Considering the continuing threat of Covid-19, restaurants and other similar establishments…shall enforce the strict observance of minimum health protocols by all employees and customers, including the use of BaCTrac (contract tracing card), wearing of face mask and face shield, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and venue capacity in accordance with the National Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines,” EO 3-2021 added.
On Tuesday, Bacolod logged two new cases and 13 new recoveries. Of its total 5,786 cases, some 5,498 have recovered and only 102 are active cases.
In March last year, Leonardia issued EO 25 that prohibited the selling of liquor and ordered the closure of videoke bars, and internet stations in the city as part of the more stringent physical distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The mayor lifted the liquor ban through EO 39-2020 last June 1, the first day of the modified general community quarantine in Bacolod, but reimposed the prohibition on the selling and buying of liquor or any form of alcoholic drinks from July 31 to August 15 as provided in EO 50-2020.
In EO 39-2020, Leonardia stated that the total lifting of the ban on the selling of liquor, wine, beer, or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage is subject to continuing evaluation, and in a succeeding directive only allowed the partial lifting of the liquor ban. (PNA)
