Cop reassigned at NCPO to boost drive vs Covid-19

By Jason B. Neola

The Naga City Police Office (NCPO), in close coordination with the LGU’s Health Emergency Response Task Force (HERTF), will zero in on resto-bars that continue to offer liquor or allowed liquor to be consumed within their premises despite the city’s quarantine classification.

Naga City maintained its MGCQ status as declared by the Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) based on the announcement made last Apr. 11, 2021 by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The course of action against recalcitrant resto-bars was conveyed to newsmen by Police Lt. Col. Errol Garchitorena who was reassigned as NCPO deputy commander for administration. The police officer was working as deputy commander in one of the divisions at Camp Simeon Ola when he received his reassignment.

The Police Regional Office 5 ordered his reassignment after it has favorably considered the request of Mayor Nelson Legacion to send him back to Naga to help in the execution of control measures and strategies that will stop further the transmission of Covid-19.

The HERTF’s security cluster with Garchitorena as head is tasked to see to it that the following minimum public health standards are strictly being implemented in public places:

• Proper use of face masks (covering both nose and mouth) when not eating or drinking. Face masks shall never be removed when talking or singing

• Practice/physical/social distancing, especially when talking

• Placement and maintenance of hand sanitation stations at entrances and exits

• Thorough disinfection of venues, facilities, and equipment after every use, and,

• Proper ventilation in enclosed venues.

Garchitorena said that aside from karaoke/KTV bars and clubs, there are other commercial establishments that are prohibited to operate.

“Based on Mayor Legacion’s executive order (EO 2021-008) which was issued on Apr. 11, this year, concert halls, theaters, billiard halls, fairs/perya, kiddie rides, arcades, playgrounds, playrooms, and cockfighting are among those that need to cease operations while the city is under MGCQ,” he said.

However, food establishments like resto-bars will be allowed to operate on condition that they will only serve non-alcoholic food and beverages.

The executive order also set the limitations on the conduct of physical activities. Individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, jogging, running, biking, playing tennis, badminton, and skateboarding are allowed within the general area of one’s residence; provided, that minimum public health standards and precautions like wearing of face masks and keeping the physical distancing rule are observed. However, any kind of contact sports is prohibited.

The operations of all private and public resorts in the city shall be at 50 percent capacity and shall be limited to between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day including holidays. Overnight stay of guests is not allowed unless the resort is accredited by the Dept. of Tourism as accommodation establishment.

Garchitorena said that they are going to restrict also individuals below 15 years old and over 65 years of age from going to places frequented by the public, including those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, and persons with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks.

“Under the mayor’s executive order, they are required to always remain in their residences except when accessing essential goods and services such as food and medicines, working in industries allowed to operate during MGCQ, visiting a place of worship or church in which the person is a member,” Garchitorena said.