Valenzuela imposes liquor ban during enhanced community quarantine period

MANILA, Philippines — Valenzuela City has passed an ordinance banning the sale, delivery, and consumption of any alcoholic beverage during the period of the enhanced community quarantine.

In a statement by the city’s Public Information Office, the local government on Monday passed City Ordinance No. 681, Series of 2020, or the “Stay Sober Ordinance,” authored by 1st District Councilor Atty. Bimbo Dela Cruz.

Under the ordinance, the sale, delivery, purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages are temporarily prohibited “for as long as the enhanced community quarantine is sill in effect.”

The ordinance also prohibits any person to “appear, traverse, or loiter in public places within the City of Valenzuela while under the influence of alcohol.”

This comes after the entire Luzon island was placed under enhanced community quarantine by President Rodrigo Duterte to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace

So far, the Philippines has a record of 636 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 38 deaths and 26 recoveries.

Those who will violate the ordinance, both individual and businesses, will face an administrative fine of P5,000, as well as the confiscation of the alcoholic beverages per violation made.

“Businesses duly registered with the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Valenzuela City shall also be penalized with revocation of their permits,” the statement read.