MECQ In Zamboanga Del Sur, Extended

Zamboanga del Sur – Governor Victor J. Yu signed on June 15, 2021, Executive Order Number 2021-16 extending the implementation of MODIFIED ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (MECQ) in the province of Zamboanga del Sur and providing supplemental guidelines thereof. EO 2021-16 shall be effective until June 30, 2021.

Highlights

SECTION 1. Minimum public health standards shall be complied with at all times for the duration of the MECQ.

SECTION 2. The movement of all persons shall be limited to

1. APORs;
2. Essential Travels only such as:
3. Returning residents;
4. Medical Emergency;
5. Burial of Immediate Family member;
6. Essential Appointment in a Govt Institution;
7. Returning Overseas Filipinos; and
8. Cargoes and Goods.

Province of Zamboanga del Sur will now be identified as RESTRICED under the SPASS system. Thus, non-APORs who are returning residents must present TRAVEL COORDINATION PERMIT.

SECTION 6. ESTABLISHMENTS

Dining

Outdoor dine-in — up to 50% of its full capacity

Indoor dine-in — up to 10% of its full capacity

Beauty Salons, Barber shops, Nail Spas

– must be able to accommodate patrons/clients while wearing facemask

– allowed to operate up to 30% of its full capacity

Closing time of Dining, Salons, Barbershops, and Nail Spas

– 8pm for municipalities

– 9pm for Pagadian City

SECTION 7. The following establishments, persons, or activities SHALL NOT be permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken during MECQ:

1. Entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, and cinemas;
2. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and similar venues;
3. Amusement parks or theme parks, fairs/peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
4. Outdoor sports courts or venues for contact sports, scrimmages, games, or activities;
5. Indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, spas or other indoor leisure centers or facilities, and swimming pools;
6. Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except for the draws conducted by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office;
7. Indoor visitor or tourist attractions, libraries, archives, museums, galleries, and cultural shows and exhibits;
8. Outdoor tourist attractions;
9. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

SECTION 10. HOTEL OR ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS

Only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid DOT Accreditation shall be allowed to accommodate guests and clients for legitimate purposes under a state of a public health emergency. The operations of such hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as ancillary establishments within their premises such as restaurants, cafés, gyms, spas, function halls, and the like, shall be subject to guidelines issued by the DOT and the IATF.

SECTION 11. GATHERINGS

Gatherings outside of residences shall be PROHIBITED.

Gatherings at residences WITH ANY PERSON OUTSIDE OF ONE’S IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD shall likewise be PROHIBITED.

However, gatherings that are ESSENTIAL for:

–  the provision of health services, government services, or humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government agency or instrumentality shall be allowed up to 30% of the venue capacity.

– RELIGIOUS gatherings shall be allowed up to 30% of the venue capacity if there is no objection from the LGU where the religious gathering may take place. The religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards.

– Gatherings for NECROLOGICAL SERVICES, WAKES, INURMENT, FUNERALS for those who died of causes OTHER THAN COVID-19, shall be allowed, provided that: the same shall be for a period of 5 days, LIMITED TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, upon satisfactory proof of their relationship with the deceased, and with full compliance with the prescribed minimum public health standards for the duration of the activity.

SECTION 12. Face-to-face or in-person classes shall be SUSPENDED.

The education sector shall operate in accordance with the guidelines of the CHED for higher education, TESDA for technical vocational education and training, DepEd for basic education.

SECTION 13. The road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall be allowed to operate at such capacity and protocols in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr. The use of active transportation such as biking is encouraged.

SECTION 14. Law enforcement agencies shall recognize any of the following IDs: (i) IATF IDs issued by the regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over permitted establishments or persons, (ii) valid IDs or other pertinent documentation issued by accrediting organizations or establishments allowed under ECQ, and, (iii) if required by the LGU, local IDs for availing of essential goods and services. No other IDs or passes specifically exempting persons from community quarantine shall be required of workers of permitted establishments and/or offices without prejudice to requiring the presentation of other documents establishing the nature of their work. (As amended by Paragraph B IATF Resolution No. 46, June 15, 2020, and Paragraph B of IATF Resolution no. 106-B, March 28, 2021)

SECTION 16. EXERCISE

Individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running or biking, are allowed WITHIN the general area of their residence, e.g. within the barangay, purok, subdivision, and/or village. Provided, that the minimum public health standards and precautions such as the wearing of face masks, and the maintenance of social distancing protocols are observed.

SECTION 17. CURFEW

10pm-4am for municipalities.

12mn-4am for Pagadian City.

SECTION 18. Safety Seal Certification Program is hereby adopted.

Additional guidelines will be given by the component LGU concerned.

SECTION 19. Any violation of the foregoing prohibitions shall constitute non-cooperation of the person or entities punishable under Section 9 par. (d) or (e), as the case may be, of Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Below is Sec 9 (d) and (e) of RA 11332

Sec 9 Prohibited Acts. – The following shall be prohibited under this Act:

(d) Non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report and/or respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern; and

(e) Non-cooperation of the person or entities identified as having the notifiable disease, or affected by the health event of public concern.

Section 10. Penalties. -Any person or entity found to have violated Section 9 of this Act shall be penalized with a fine of not less than ₱ 20,000.00 but not more than ₱ 50,000.00 OR imprisonment of not less than 1 month but not more than 6 months, OR BOTH both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the proper court.

The Professional Regulation Commission shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the license to practice of any medical professional for any violation of this Act.

The Civil Service Commission shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the civil service eligibility of a public servant who is in violation of this Act.

If the offense is committed by a public or private health facility, institution, agency, corporation, school, or other juridical entity duly organized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, or such other officer in charge shall be held liable. In addition, the business permit and license to operate of the concerned facility, institution, agency, corporation, school, or legal entity shall be cancelled.

(Source: Victory Zamboanga del Sur Facebook page, photo courtesy of ZDS-PPB)