Quezon City bar reopens; more shops shut down

MANILA, Philippines — A bar in Quezon City whose patrons were caught violating COVID-19 protocols has been allowed to reopen following compliance with the local government’s health and safety guidelines.

The city’s Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) lifted the closure order against En Route Distillery Bar along Tomas Morato.

“We were quick to shut down business establishments violating health protocols, but we also support their reopening as soon as we are assured that they are complying with the city’s ordinances and guidelines,” BPLD chief Margie Santos said in a statement.

The bar was closed last week for operating beyond the allowed hours. It also accommodated more than the allowed number of customers.

The BPLD has been strictly monitoring restaurants, bars and other commercial establishments as a measure against the more infectious and transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19, according to Santos.

On Saturday, the city government shut down three more bars for violating health protocols.

Police issued violation tickets to 29 employees and 10 customers of Guilly’s Island Restaurant and Bar. It was found that the establishment had been operating with an expired business permit, city hall said.

The BPLD also shut down Karma Lounge for breaching health guidelines and operating with an expired mayor’s permit. The bar’s 30 employees have no working permits.

Santos said the Bat Cave Music Bar along Visayas Avenue was also closed after some of its employees failed to present working permits.

“We cannot let our guard down as the health department recorded local cases of the Delta variant. Vigilance and the support of QCitizens in reporting erring estabishments would prevent superspreader events and the transmission of COVID-19,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.