By Rey Anthony Chiu | 09:58 AM February 19, 2022
The beginnings of the new normal takes shape as the previous restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) now lie in the hands of the local government units which has jurisdiction of the event, venue or activity happening.
This as Bohol adopts the Inter-Agency task Force for the management of Emerging Infectious Disease resolution, which placed Bohol and areas in the Visayas under Covid- 19 Alert Level 2.
The same alert level adoption entrusts to the LGUS the responsibility of managing the re-opening and succeeding operation of business establishments for all vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated minors, despite a blanket mandate to allow gatherings at only 50% of the indoor venue’s capacity, and 70% for all outdoor venue’s capacity.
Provided that all onsite workers and employees of these establishments and event organizers are fully vaccinated and that minimum public health protocols are observed, it is now up to the LGUS to check on these venues and event locations if these would be allowed to go operate or not.
The much-longed basketball, soccer and other contact sports, with locations and venues approved by the LGU, funfairs, feria, kid amusement industries like playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides, venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters, are now allowed.
In fact, if this Alert level 2 sustains until the next months, there might be no more fiesta lockdowns as gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household are now allowed, with LGU approval.
As the level allows intra-zonal and inter-zonal movement, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by the LGUs, subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of their respective RIATF.
Also expressly opened are venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), venues for social events like parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers, under the 50% indoor and 70% outdoor capacity.
Also opened under the guidance of LGUs are visitor or tourist attractions, like libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, amusement parks or theme parks, recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
cinemas and movie houses, with minimum public health protocols observed, of course.
If permission has been secured from the Office of the President, limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject can be held. Or casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments may be allowed when authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President.
Moreover, licensure or entrance and qualifying examinations administered by respective government agencies, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject may be okay.
Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training may be allowed under Alert lever 2, and in-person religious gatherings; necrological services, wakes, funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 has been allowed.
Even dine-in services of food preparation establishments as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols as with personal care establishments like barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports, film, music, and television production as long as clients and workers wear face masks at all times. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
