QC taps community support to monitor business establishments’ compliance with minimum health standards
MANILA – The Quezon City government plans to generate community support in monitoring business establishments which violate minimum health standards.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said strict monitoring is imperative as more people are expected to go out of the streets as the government opens the economy and allowed a more relaxed quarantine standards.
“The key to prevent a spike in cases is to ramp up our surveillance and enforcement efforts, and this is where we need the help of Quezon City citizens because our front liner (workers) can only do so much,” she said.
Mayor Belmonte said the local government unit needs the necessary information about commercial establishments which may not follow recommended health protocols.
She added efforts to contain the virus will end with nothing should COVID-19 cases go unabated.
It was earlier reported that 90% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Quezon City have recovered while its reproduction rate is now at 0.67 which is closer to the World Health Organization’s ideal number of 0.50.
With the opening of the economy, the city is finalizing a more relaxed community set of guidelines in accordance with the IATF’s objectives, directives and regulations. The city plans to shorten the curfew to 12 midnight to 4:00 A.M. with the exemption of essential activities requiring 24 hours operations including markets, take-out food delivery, pharmacies, hospitals, convenience stores and delivery services.
Religious activities will be allowed with up to 30% of the church’s capacity as work-related gatherings and other unavoidable gatherings must not exceed 50% of the venue’s capacity or 100 persons, whichever is lower. Attendees must observe minimum health standards required by the national government.
Restaurants, hotels and other tourism-oriented establishments may operate until 12 midnight but sale of alcoholic beverages will only be allowed until 10:00 P.M. Liquor dealers will only be allowed to sell on retail or deliver from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Melo M. Acuña)
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (right) talks with community leaders in a file photo. (Contributed Photo)