BY AARON RECUENCO
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield ordered Sunday police commanders to regularly monitor beerhouses and bars in their areas of responsibility amid reports of unauthorized operations despite the threat from COVID-19.
Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the JTF COVID Shield, said the move is to ensure the full compliance of the guideline of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) prohibiting the operation of these establishments.
“Based on the guideline issued by the IATF-MEID, the operation of beerhouses, bars, and other similar establishments are still prohibited under the Modified General Community Quarantine, and much more under the General Community Quarantine,” said Eleazar.
“So any attempt to accept customers is already a clear violation of the IATF guideline and possibly even local ordinances,” he added.
While some bars may be allowed to open, Eleazar said the operation is focused on serving food and the owners to discourage prolonged stay inside.
As such, he said live band performance and other similar activities are discouraged.
Last week, police arrested five foreigners and 35 others after they were caught drinking inside a bar in Makati City. The City Government of Makati prohibits drinking sessions outside of residence.
Last Saturday, almost 100 people were arrested in a Quezon City bar for violation of quarantine protocols.
“We are not discounting the possibility that similar unauthorized operations of beerhouses, bars, and similar establishments are also happening in the provinces, particularly in urban areas. That is why our commanders on the ground should regularly check on these establishments,” said Eleazar.
He said police commanders were also tasked to coordinate with their local government units to ensure that those who would defy the IATF guideline would be penalized that include payment of fine and even closure order.
“This is aside from criminal charges that would be filed against the operators of said establishments and the customers who would be caught,” the JTF COVID Shield commander said.
Eleazar said quarantine violations are inevitable inside beerhouses and bars by various people from different places.
“There were already instances in the past of drinking sessions leading to mass infection. As responsible business people, they should follow the existing rules so that they will not add to the coronavirus infection problems. And as responsible citizens, people should not really go to these places if they are mindful of their own and their family’s protection from infection,” said Eleazar.
