Indoor dine-in not allowed in Cebu Province — Garcia

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will not allow indoor dine-in services on food establishments while the province is under general community quarantine (GCQ) even if it is allowed under the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) resolution.

IATF Resolution 130-D allows 30% indoor dine-in services while 50% for outdoor dine-in in areas under GCQ.

Garcia prefers al fresco dine-in services or open air since COVID-19 is highly transmissible in enclosed areas, especially airconditioned.

“I am not going to allow indoor dining if kini airconditioned ni. Giawhag nako tanan establishment nga nag-serve og pagkaon, as much as possible adopt.  Ibutang inyong mga lamesa alang sa guest sa gawas,” Garcia said.

 “It is given nga highly transmissible (ang delta variant) you are more at risk in places that are not highly ventilated, kanang sirado, aircon,” she added.

The governor said she is going to issue an executive order on this matter.

The governor said that public transport vehicles should be properly ventilated. Personal care services like salon, parlor, spas, among others, they are also encouraged to have an air purifier with hepa filter.

“Kinahanglan ang capacity sa imong air purifying that should purify the total floor area,” Garcia said.

For tourism destinations, outdoor tourist attractions are allowed to continue to operate but with only 30% capacity.  Garcia said that hotels and resorts must also ensure they have air purifier with hepa filter for the guests. Staycations at the hotels and resorts are allowed with no age restriction.

 “No age restriction pag may staycation. You can go and check-in at the hotels and resorts sa Province properly issued with accreditation with DOT and certificate of compliance by the Province of Cebu,” Garcia said.

Although the tri-cities—Cebu , Lapu-Lapu ,and Mandaue ---are under a more restrictive quarantine classification, Garcia said the province will not implement border control.

“We’ve seen before, nag border control ta mas dako ang kadaot sa ekonomiya. Yes, rising ang cases but kadtong under control ta mas daghan naglisod. We have to balance things,” Garcia said.

 She urged the Mayors and the tourism officers to strictly monitor all its outdoor destinations and properly observe the guidelines stated in her Executive Order No. 20 and 20-A for tourism activities in the province.

The Province of Cebu has been placed under GCQ until August 15, 2021 after its appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force on an earlier MECQ classification was granted.

Garcia said among the province’s reasons is the effect to the ailing tourism industry and economy if the province will be placed under more restrictive classification. — FPL (FREEMAN)