By Rey Anthony Chiu | 01:08 PM September 08, 2021
From Modified General Community Quarantine, Bohol’s quarantine status now is escalated to General Community Quarantine, but with additional restrictions as the recent coronavirus disease (Covid-19) surge puts to critical level hospital capacities.
As such, public and private businesses and industries that are basic to allowing the churning of the cogs of the local economy are allowed to operate at full capacity.
This as Bohol governor Arthur Yap issued Executive Order No. 45, series of 2021, which formalized the adoption of the new quarantine status, after a series of meetings with multiple stakeholders, including tourism industry workers, representatives from the medical sector and mayors.
The escalation however brings with it additional restrictions set for September 8 to September 30, 2021.
The additional restrictions include compliance with the minimum public health standards at all times, the movement of people limited only to accessing food and services or for work in establishments allowed to run.
Bohol’s GCQ status also requires minors, senior citizens above 65 years old, persons with comorbidities, immune deficiencies and other health risks, pregnant women are to remain at home, except when accessing food or services and work in permitted establishments.
Establishments which are allowed to operate for the resumption of economic operations include public and private hospitals, health, emergency, and frontline services, disaster risk reduction management offices, and public safety offices, pharmaceutical companies manufacturing medicines and vitamins, medical supplies, devices, equipment, including suppliers of input, packaging, and distribution.
Also allowed to fully operate are industries in agriculture, forestry, fishery, and such other components of the food value chain, logistics service providers; warehousing; trucking; shipping, port and terminal operators and contractors.
To run on full steam are essential and priority construction projects in accordance with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued guidelines, Department of Transportation for the construction of Build Build Build flagship infrastructure projects.
On the food manufacturing sector, also allowed are food-related and other essential goods manufacturing, companies that distribute, or supply equipment or construction and maintenance works.
Public markets and essential retail trade and service establishments are also opened, as well as food establishments like kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, but limited to take-out and delivery.
Public and private financial service providers involved in the distribution of government grants and amelioration subsidies, business process outsourcing establishments (BPOs), and export-oriented businesses, including mining and quarrying activities as well as public transport providers and operators are on full capacity now.
However, entertainment venues with live performances, recreational venues, amusement parks, casinos and gaming establishments and outdoor sports courts are still banned.
Outdoor dining, food parks are allowed to run at half their capacities, while indoor dining is limited to 20% to 30% if the venue earns a safety seal.
Personal care services are limited to 30% to 40% as long as face masks are never removed while service is done.
Hotel and accommodation establishments with a Department of Tourism accreditation are allowed, its ancillary services may operate but following the DOT and IATF guidelines.
Outdoor tourist attractions are opened for 30% capacity but shall strictly follow minimum public health standards.
While the new EO strictly bans all forms of gatherings, face to face meetings, public and private conferences and seminars unless permitted, home gatherings shall be limited to household members, meetings for Covid-19 related activities, provision of essential health and government services or humanitarian activities authorized by apt government agencies are allowed.
Religious gatherings are limited to 10 to 30% of the building capacity, gathering for necrological services for persons who died other than Covid allows only for family members but following minimum public health standards.
Still at GCQ, face to face classes are suspended and limited face to face classes and technical vocational training may be allowed as per Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills development Authority guidelines.
At GCQ, outdoor non-contact sports continue to be allowed as long as they practice minimum public health standards. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
