(File photo)
MANILA – Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, on Monday directed the National Capital Region Police Office to sustain its enhanced visibility in all areas of convergence, particularly around malls during the holiday season.
This came as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced that malls in the region will now operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting November 15.
“While NCRPO personnel are also enforcing minimum public health standards, they will be more focused on crime prevention especially in areas where people flock, particularly in malls which are set to extend operating hours,” Eleazar said in a statement.
He added that this is essential as more people are expected to troop to these areas with the lifting of the general curfew and the region's downgrade to Alert Level 2.
Eleazar also directed local police commanders to coordinate with the management of malls in their areas of responsibility to discuss security measures that need to be undertaken in anticipation of extended operating hours.
“Ang simpleng pagsunod natin sa minimum public health standards, ang pagsusuot ng face mask at pagtiyak sa physical distancing, ay malaking tulong na para maiwasan ang muling pagdami ng mga kaso ng Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) (Our simple adherence to minimum public health standards, wearing a face mask and ensuring physical distancing, will be a big help to prevent the recurrence of Covid-19 cases),” he said.
Over the weekend, malls, churches, and other public areas in Metro Manila saw an influx of visitors including families with their young children and the elderly as there are no age restrictions implemented under Alert Level 2.
Metro Manila is under Alert Level 2 from November 5 to 21, the second most relaxed status of the five-tier alert level system.
Under Alert Level 2, establishments are allowed to operate indoors at 50 percent capacity with an additional 10 percent capacity if they have a safety seal, while for outdoors, they will be permitted at 70 percent capacity. (PNA)
