No ‘jowa passes’: Cavite lays down rules for MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on Tuesday several guidelines for the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to be imposed in the province, including the cancellation of “jowa passes.”

“Unofficial travel shall be strictly limited. All jowa passes are cancelled,” Remulla said in a Facebook post, apparently referring to excuses often made by visiting half-couples to bypass quarantine regulations.

The governor also said that quarantine passes will again be non-transferrable, with only one member per household who can use the passes.

The “stay-at-home” order will be in effect.

“Sino man ang walang Q-pass at nasa lansangan ay huhulihin at bibigyan ng katumbas na multa,” Remulla warned.

(Whoever is found in the streets without a Q-pass will be apprehended and fined.)

Meanwhile, Remulla said factories may continue to operate.

Employees should be able to present their identification card and work schedule to checkpoints.

Public transportation can operate but only for limited passengers.

“Ang lahat ng public transportation ay puedeng mag-operate kapag ito ay para sa serbisyo ng mga pabrika, manggagawa at essential workers,” said Remulla.

(All public transportation can operate but this should only service to those in factories and essential workers.)

According to the governor, the “palengke policy” in the province will be reinforced according to rules of each town.

Curfew hours will also remain in effect from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

Golf courses will be closed, while dine-in operations will not be allowed in restaurants.

Mall operations will be limited to banks, supermarkets and pharmacies. Department stores will be closed.

“Ang malls ay balik sa local residents protocol. Maliban sa patakaran ng Tagaytay para sa karatig na bayan at maliban rin sa Trece Martires na kasama ang Indang at Amadeo,” Remulla added.

(All malls will reinforce the local residents protocol, except for Tagaytay for residents in nearby towns and Trece Martires that can accommodate residents from Indang and Amadeo.)

Constructions for public and private entities will be allowed at full operation subject to monitoring of the Department of Public Works and Highways for public projects, and of the local government units or the Department of Labor and Employment for private projects.

Barangay checkpoints will be enforced, added the governor.

Tiangge, barber shops, salons, and computer shops will likewise be temporarily shut. Wakes will also not be allowed.

The imposition of liquor ban will be based on the decision of each mayor, according to Remulla.

He added that inter-province travel will be restricted to official business purposes.

Cavite, along with Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan, was placed again under MECQ from August 4 to 18 after President Rodrigo Duterte heeded to appeal of medical frontliners to reimpose strict lockdown measures in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces due to continuous increase of COVID-19 cases under relaxed community quarantine protocols.

EDV