Parañaque bans liquor until April 14

MANILA, Philippines — For the duration of the Luzon lockdown, the Parañaque City government has banned the sale of alcoholic drinks as another precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Mayor Edwin Olivarez has signed Executive Order No. 24 barring hotels, resorts, restaurants and other establishments of the same nature from selling, furnishing, offering and buying liquor in the city until April 14.

According to Olivarez, the ban would discourage residents from gathering at bars and clubs or drinking in the streets. BPLO chief Melanie Soriano Malaya has forwarded a copy of the order to supervisors and managers of hotel and casino resorts, Philippine offshore gaming operators, restaurants and other establishments, particularly those located in Entertainment City.

Despite a city-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., city officials and policemen learned that some foreigners were still loitering in the streets and drinking alcohol in public places until the wee hours in complete disregard of social distancing guidelines.

Under the enhanced community quarantine, residents were strongly urged to stay in their homes, except for necessary travel such as buying groceries, food or medicine, and going to work or the hospital.

—Dexter Cabalza