(Eagle News)–The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Wednesday, April 15, reminded local government units to ensure non-essential establishments remain closed amid the enhanced community quarantine.
Año issued the statement after receiving reports some establishments that were not exempted from operating under the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases have resumed operations.
According to Memorandum Circular 2020-062, LGUs should ensure only those providing or manufacturing basic necessities such as food, medicine, water, banking and remittance centers, power, energy, telecommunication, and the like are operating.
The memo says LGUs should also ensure that only a skeletal workforce is deployed in those establishments allowed to operate.
The LGU should also ensure strict social distancing measures.
“The ECQ is still in full force and effect. There is no partial lifting whatsoever” Año said.
“Nasa gitna tayo ng state of public health emergency at kalamidad. Ang mga pasaway ay maaaring arestuhin sa paglabag sa Article 151 ng Revised Penal Code (RPC). The law punishes resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person,” Año added.
The ECQ is expected to end on April 30.
Interior spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the IATF is “carefully studying the next steps..”
“..But one thing for sure is that we have to exercise caution and prudence regarding the partial lifting of the ECQ after April 30,” he added.
