ILOILO – To stop the surge in new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered a province-wide liquor ban beginning Jan. 7.
This will end on Jan. 15 unless extended or lifted earlier.
Under Executive Order No. 002, serving/drinking of alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited in food preparation establishments such as bars, kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries.
Liquors are also banned in high-risk establishments and activities such as meetings, conferences, workshops, wedding receptions, parties, and the likes.
According to Defensor, drinking “negates” social distancing which is one of the pandemic health safety protocols.
“Alcohol negates social distancing. Kabalo man kita kon ano ang deperensya sang may alcohol kag wala,” said Defensor.
He, however, clarified that drinking liquor in one’s house is not prohibited.
“You can consume alcohol sa imo balay,” said Defensor.
To ensure that the ban is enforced in restaurants, resto bars aid high- risk establishments and activities, he ordered the “PNP and the Local Task Forces to monitor or conduct patrolling, inspection, and exercise visitorial powers to enforce the above liquor ban.
On Jan. 6, Iloilo logged 31 new cases. They came from the following areas:
* Pavia (eight)
* Lambunao (seven)
* Miag-ao (six)
* San Enrique (one)
* Santa Barbara (one)
* Calinog (one)
* Carles (one)
* Cabatuan (one)
* Leganes (one)
* Anilao (one)
As of Jan. 6, Iloilo had 378 active COVID cases./PN
