Iloilo City appeals for the opening of non-essential businesses: The Iloilo City Government, in a social media post, revealed that it has sent a letter of appeal, dated August 16, to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the reopening of non-essential businesses in the city.
“We appealed that the spas, museums, and fitness centers or gyms be permitted to operate already during Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) at a limited capacity,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said.
It may be recalled that the city has been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from August 16 to 31. It was eased from ECQ status (Enhanced Community Quarantine). With the easing of protocols, IATF already allowed dine-in in food establishments, barbershops, beauty salons, nail spas to operate at a very limited capacity.
Treñas hopes the same will be accorded to gyms, fitness centers, spas, and museums, subject to conditions, namely: spa, gym, and museum-goers, especially the attendants, therapists, coaches, and trainers must wear masks at all times and other protective gears, wherever practicable; sanitation and disinfection must be frequently conducted; air purifiers and similar devices in accordance with the Safety Seal Certification Program have been installed, and most of the employees of these establishments in Iloilo City have been vaccinated.
“The Ilonggos are overjoyed with this development and business owners together with their employees heaved great sighs of relief as they are now allowed to return to operation. This act of consideration would mean food on more tables and better sleep for our constituents. However, as we gladly announce this change, we are still not spared from the clamor of the rest of the community who belong to establishments and activities still not allowed to operate under MECQ,” excerpt from the letter of appeal.
“For about a year and five months that the Iloilo City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ICESU) has been aggressively conducting contact tracing and monitoring, there appears to be no significant report or recorded case of a confirmed positive who have been into these establishments. While we understand the risk of physical contacts we are avoiding with this prohibition, perhaps, allowing these establishments to open at a very limited capacity would help contribute to the well-being of their clients in general since working out, engaging in enriching experiences, and practicing a healthy lifestyle are undeniably proven to improve not only the physical aspect but also the mental health of our people,” continues the letter.
“The people are more than ready to do everything they can to be able to return to operation and find means to provide for themselves. At the moment, we have already advised these businesses to see to it that all their employees are vaccinated and their premises are compliant with the Safety Seal Certification Program. The issue of vaccination can easily be addressed considering the aggressive vaccine roll out of the city inoculating not less than 10,000 individuals daily,” it added.
The urgent letter addressed Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., and Usec. Epimaco Densing III, likewise emphasized that while the City Government does its best to alleviate the economic suffering of the people by putting up community kitchens all throughout the metro, this measure can only do so much as resources are also scarce due to the pandemic. (Via Iloilo City PIO)
