Horse racing, cockfighting still prohibited; Independence Day celebration limited to 10
Horse racing and cockfighting remain prohibited in areas under community quarantine in a bid to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque also said the number of people who will attend the Independence Day celebration on June 12 has been limited to 10.
The latest decision on the quarantine restrictions on amusement games and June 12 occasion was reached during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) last Monday.
“Nung pagpupulong kahapon, hindi pa rin pinayagan ang horse racing. Ang sabong pinagbabawal pa rin (In the meeting Monday, horse racing is still not allowed. Cockfighting is also prohibited),” Roque said in a televised press briefing.
“Bagamat nagbigay ng approval ang IATF para sa selebrasyon sa June 12, ito ay limitado sa 10 tao lamang (Although the IATF gave the approval for the celebration on June 12, the participants must be limited to 10 persons),” he added.
At present, amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments, as well as those in the kids and the tourism industries are still not allowed to operate in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) like Metro Manila.
Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding however are allowed subject to minimum health standards in GCQ areas.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said other industries still prohibited to operate in GCQ are gyms/fitness studios and sports facilities, cinemas, theaters, karaoke bars, libraries, cultural centers, museums, beaches, water parks and other tourist destinations, travel agencies, tour operators , personal care services such as massage parlors, sauna and facial care; pet grooming services, internet shops, and education centers like testing centers, review centers, language, driving, dance/acting/voice schools. These business establishments and activities, however, are allowed at 50 percent operating capacity in MGCQ areas, according to Lopez.
Mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity in places under MGCQ.
As the government moved to jumpstart the economy, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Pangasinan, Zamboanga City and Davao City have downgraded to the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) until June 15. The modified general community quarantine, the lowest quarantine level enforced by the government, is in effect in the rest of the country until next week.