Rules on fully vaxxed persons out
Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued an executive order providing benefits to vaccinated individuals to balance between health and economy in the city under a more relaxed state of general community quarantine.
Rama said through Executive Order 143, the city government expresses “I Love You” to all citizens, to all Filipinos, adding that it is in their love for their fellowmen and their country that they crafted this new guide.
“As it supplements the previous EOs we issued, 136, 137, 138 and 142, we have further considered to open more our economy while being mindful that we don’t allow our guard down and still ensure that our citizens are protected,” said Rama.
EO 143 provides benefits to those who got themselves vaccinated as a way to encourage those who have not yet to register through PaBakunaTa.com and wait for their turn to be inoculated as CEBUCITYVAX would advise.
Section 8 of EO 143 provides that bars are limited to 30 percent of the venue capacity and provided that the customers and employees are COVID-19 fully vaccinated, subject to strict implementation of curfew.
In general, the serving and/or consumption of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public places shall be prohibited except in authorized establishments subject to curfew and periodic evaluation of protocol compliance.
Food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries are allowed to operate indoor dine-in service which is limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity, for COVID-19 fully vaccinated customers only. Provided that the employees and personnel must also be fully vaccinated.
Outdoor dine-in services (al fresco) are allowed at 75 percent capacity.
Personal care services limited to beauty salons, barbershops, beauty parlors, massage parlors, and nail spas are limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity and for COVID-19 vaccinated customers only.
Indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, clubhouses or similar establishments not for contact sports are limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity and for COVID-19 fully vaccinated customers only.
Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercises like Zumba are allowed as long as physical distancing is practiced, and minimum public health standards are observed. Clustering/ grouping during the said activities is prohibited.
Meanwhile, indoor tourist attractions recognized by the
Department of Tourism or City Tourism Office as such, are limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity and for COVID-19 fully vaccinated customers only.
Outdoor tourist attractions are limited to 75 percent of the venue capacity for vaccinated customers only.
Meetings, incentive, conventions, and exhibits are limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity and for fully vaccinated customers only.
Recreational venues are limited to 30 percent venue capacity and for fully vaccinated customers only.
As their corporate social responsibility, all establishments are enjoined to come up with discounts, freebies, and other promotional incentives to encourage customers, patrons, and consumers to have themselves vaccinated.
On the other hand, all persons, before entering Cebu City through any of the ports and other points of entry, shall be required to present any proof of identity and any of the following documents: (a) negative RT-PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours; or (b) negative antigen test result taken within the last 48 hours; or saliva test for fully vaccinated individual performed and taken within 48 hours.
Section 14 provides that in addition to the existing guidelines, rules and regulations, and those which may be imposed by the duly constituted authority, special activities bearing social, political, cultural, traditional, historical, educational, religious significance and other similar activities are allowed subject to the submission and approval of a formal pandemic contingency plan to be filed by the applicant before the Office of the Mayor through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Special activities such as cemetery visitation on November 1 and 2 (All Saints and All Souls Day); attendance and conduct of Misa de Gallo; Christmas and New Year midnight mass celebration; fiesta celebration and mass; Sinulog activities, among others, are permissible subject to the attending circumstances at the time of its arrival or happening.
For this purpose, all persons, proponents, institutions, and organizers having an interest in the conduct of special activities and the like must submit a contingency plan at least 15 days prior to the scheduled activity.
This is to give ample time for the authority and the Office of the Mayor through the EOC to make the necessary evaluation, recommendation, and approval of the plan.
Further, Task Force “Puyo” must be informed and coordinated in the conduct of such special activities.
Gatherings limited only to weddings, birthdays, and baptisms are allowed in venues/facilities for such events up to 40 percent of the venue capacity or 125 persons, whichever is lower, provided further that all attendees must be COVID-19 fully vaccinated.
Clearances for these events shall be issued by the Office of the Mayor, through the EOC, subject to the strict compliance of the minimum public health standards, and other conditions the city government may impose.
Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, and interment held in sitios, chapels, churches, and the like, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19, religious gatherings, mass in churches, and the like shall be limited to 50 percent of the venue capacity, and with strict compliance of the minimum public health standards for the duration of the activity.
As for the curfew in the city, it will still start from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. It shall apply to all establishments and offices permitted to operate
Rama defended his latest order saying that the way to liberation is vaccination and the way to sustainability and maintenance is continuing prevention.
He said that almost half of those master listed have already completed their second dose and another half of it on their first dose, thus, the vaccine bubble can be applied here.
“Over 300 thousand na ang atong natagaan ug first dose and over 300 thousand ang atong second dose...So it is just fair that we must give premium, we must give reward for those have been fully vaccinated and whoever will enter into a certain establishment would also feel safer, safer nga inig sulod nila, they don’t have to be concerned and worry na maigo sila likelihood on our COVID virus,” said Rama.
Rama is also willing to face the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Human Rights Commission if he is called out.
“We have a constitution of our local autonomy, we have a local government code of general welfare and that’s the reason why we know better,” he said.
Rama also emphasized that if the unvaccinated have a right to refuse, the vaccinated ones also have the right to remain protected.
Allowing one’s self to be vaccinated is not only protecting one’s self but its family and the community, Rama further said.
If one insists not to be vaccinated, Rama said, stay at home. —