Quezon City task force raids bar for quarantine breach

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities raided on Saturday a karaoke bar in Quezon City for allegedly violating quarantine protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Members of the city’s Task Force Disiplina issued citation tickets to 30 customers in the bar.

In an incident report released yesterday, task force enforcers and operatives of the Quezon City Police District raided Music21 Plaza along Timog Avenue at past 10 p.m.

The bar’s manager reportedly argued that their customers were safe in their establishment, saying they only allowed up to 10 persons in a KTV room, which can accommodate up to 40 people.

The task force said the bar management should appeal penalties, including possible closure of the establishment with the local government.

Under IATF guidelines, karaoke bars, nightclubs and other leisure establishments are not allowed to operate in areas under general community quarantine or GCQ. Restobars may only operate as restaurants at limited capacity.

Metro Manila remains under GCQ.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has urged owners of business establishments to strictly follow quarantine measures to further contain the spread of COVID-19.