ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued an executive order over the weekend enforcing additional and adjusted community quarantine measures on public events and gatherings due to rising local cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He prohibited public events and gatherings involving crowds or large number of attendees. These activities are the following:
* local government unit (LGU) events such as fiestas, socio-cultural activities, festivals, commemorative programs, and assemblies
* school or academic institution events pursuant to Department of Education Memorandum No. 034, Series of 2020
* conventions, seminars, worships, and general membership meetings
* birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and baptismal celebrations/receptions
* cultural / art / entertainment performances and exhibitions
* trade expositions and product promotions
* spectator sports and contact sports activities
* family gatherings involving non-members of the household
* funeral wake public viewing and gambling, and walking funeral procession
Meanwhile, the governor allowed LGU events and activities “pursuant of government programs and projects.”
Attendees, however, shall be at 30 percent of the venue or seating capacity but in no case shall exceed 75 percent.
Buffet meals and snacks shall not be allowed and persons shall be seated two meters apart.
Religious congregations are allowed provided that attendees shall only be at 30 percent of the venue or seating capacity; persons shall be seated two meters apart and seats and queue lines shall be marked accordingly for social distancing purposes.
Defensor reiterated that “in all allowed public events and gatherings, minimum public health standards under Section 3 and Section 11 of Executive Order 183, as amended shall be strictly observed and that there shall be a safety and health protocol officers assigned to ensure compliance.”
Participants in public events and gatherings shall at all times avoid close contact, pursuant to Department of Health’s Memorandum No. 2020, 0189.
Under the memo, people should avoid face-to-face contact within a distance of one meter for always maintain a distance of 1.5 meters with other persons for more than 15 minutes and avoid physical contact with other persons an unnecessary contact with object and structures.
Defensor earlier cited the assessment of contact tracers and the recommendation of the Philippine National Police, which point to mass gatherings as the main contributor to the local spread of COVID-19.
“Wala anay public gatherings para ma-address naton ang aton weak point,” said Defensor.
As of Nov. 7, Iloilo province had a total of 2,237 COVID-19 cases – 1,699 of which were active, 1,680 recovered and 68 died./PN
