The City Government of Puerto Princesa, in a live press briefing today, January 10, announced that a city-wide liquor ban as well as curfew from 10 PM – 5 AM will be imposed and would take effect on Thursday, January 13, instead of previously announced 12th of January.
Atty. Norman Yap, spokesperson of the City Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), disclosed that these changes were agreed upon by officials, agencies, and other stakeholders who are taking part in the fight against COVID-19 during their meeting held prior to the online briefing.
Yap also said that a travel ban would soon be imposed as the city records an uptrend of the coronavirus cases.
“Napagdesisyunan na hihingi tayo ng concurrence sa regional IATF patungkol sa travel ban,” Yap said.
He informed that the travel ban would cover returning and domestic tourists who were recently approved on a tourism bubble status.
“’Yung travel ban ay mag-aapply sa mga returning residents dito sa Puerto. Lahat ng incoming travelers na returning residents o domestic tourists ay covered ng travel ban,” Yap said.
However, Yap said that only APOR, healthcare workers, frontliners, government officials, humanitarian assistant actors, employees of public utilities, logistics and cargo, bank employees are allowed to travel even if under Alert Level 5.
He said that the supposed travel ban will most likely take effect upon the concurrence of the regional IATF effectivity until January 31.
Furthermore, an absolute prohibition of alcohol consumption would also be imposed within the city starting on January 13 [which was earlier announced to be on the 12th].
A city-wide curfew from 10 AM to 5 AM will also be implemented on the same day, Yap added.
“Starting Wednesday, January [13], ang curfew natin ay mag-start from 10 PM – 5 AM,” Yap said.
Moreover, he discussed, all live or entertainment establishments shall not take any operation, as well as gatherings of individuals in households where they do not reside shall not be permitted.
Children who are eleven years old and below are not permitted to visit malls or participate in indoor dining in fast food and restaurants. Children aged from 12-17 years old can, but only if they are fully vaccinated.
While contact sports would be prohibited, 80% minimum workforce on public and private companies shall be allowed, Yap added.
While the city is still under Alert Level 2, Yap emphasized that the Department of Health (DOH) will assess the latest data and cases which the city government will submit.
Based on the latest update of the City IATF through Dr. Dean Palanca, IMT Commander, the city has 293 antigen active cases, 9,353 recovered COVID-19 cases, and 222 total death tolls.