SBMA restricts shopping at duty-free shops

BATAAN — Alarmed at how a health worker, who was tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was able to make purchases at one of the duty free shops at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last Monday, SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma Eisma ordered the stricter implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on at the freeport.

In a public advisory posted on her Facebook page, Eisma ordered more restricted access to duty-free shops and similar establishments “to qualified Freeport locators and employees, Freeport residents, and authorized SBMA personnel only.”

Only those who can show the mandatory requirement of SBMA-issued Home Quarantine Pass/Business Quarantine Pass and SBMA-issued ID card will be allowed entry in all duty-free shops and similar business establishments in the Subic Bay Freeport.

She said: “Quarantine passes issued by various local government units will not be allowed and accepted starting April 14, 2020. In order to purchase any good or service from any establishment in the Freeport, an individual’s SBMA ID and SBMA Quarantine Pass will be strictly required.”

Eisma said her office received information from the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit “that a health worker from Bataan, who was allowed access in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) rules, had tested positive for COVID19. The health worker entered the Royal Choices duty-free shop to buy some items on April 13, Monday, at about 11 a.m.”

Immediately after receiving the report, Eisma ordered the Royal Choices shop closed until April 15 for sanitation and disinfection procedures and called on all persons and personnel “who were inside the Royal Choices and its perimeter on Monday, April 13, from 10 a.m. onwards, and until 3 p.m. April 14, to go to the nearest Public Health Center for the necessary declaration and monitoring protocols.”