MANILA, Philippines—San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Monday (Aug. 3) signed two ordinances reinstating a total liquor ban and strict implementation of the curfew ordinance in the city a day after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mega Manila on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
City ordinance No. 53 set curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting on Tuesday (Aug. 4) until MECQ was lifted.
The other ordinance, No. 54, prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places. Zamora said consumption of alcoholic drinks may be allowed in private places provided that this heeded health protocols.
Zamora said the city government will also revive the “Libreng Sakay,” or free transportation, for health workers and others on the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic starting on Tuesday.
Saying the city was ready for MECQ, Zamora added that San Juan’s “New Normal Ordinance”, which took effect on Monday, proved the city was serious and sincere in efforts to win the battle with the pandemic.
The New Normal Ordinance considers it as a crime not to report cases of COVID-19, failure to war face masks and failure to heed social distancing rules. The first offense carries a fine of P3,000. Second offense is punishable by a P5,000 fine or imprisonment for three months or both.