Makati sets dining-in guidelines under various quarantine protocols

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government has established guidelines for dine-in services under different levels of quarantine to ensure restriction on the spread of communicable diseases during outbreaks.

Mayor Abby Binay said City Ordinance No. 2020-165 which provided these guidelines was approved Wednesday by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and will take effect on August 31.

The local ordinance will serve as a guide in the operations of all restaurants and fast-food businesses in the city, including canteens, food courts, food parks, and other eateries providing dine-in services.

“We enjoin all the owners of food businesses providing dine-in services to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations provided in the ordinance during times of crisis, such as this [coronavirus disease] pandemic,” Binay said in a statement Thursday.

Under the ordinance, dine-in services are strictly prohibited whenever the city is placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

During modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), food business establishments may operate at a maximum of 30-percent capacity for dine-in services.

Meanwhile, a maximum of 50-percent capacity for dine-in services will be allowed under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

Under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), a maximum of 75-percent capacity for dine-in services will be permitted.

Binay stressed that regardless of the quarantine levels, food business establishments should strictly comply with the minimum public health standards to prevent transmission of infectious diseases.

Aside from the operating capacity, the ordinance also laid down additional safe dining guidelines, including the thermal scanning of temperature and provision of disinfectant alcohol or hand sanitizers for personnel, suppliers, and customers prior to entry to the establishments.

Binay said persons with a temperature higher than the normal 37.5 degrees Celsius shall not be allowed to enter. The “no face mask, no entry” policy shall likewise be strictly enforced.

Violators of the said ordinance will face the following penalties: temporary closure of the establishment for three days and a fine of P5,000 on the first offense; P5,000 fine and temporary closure for one month on the second offense; and closure for not more than one year and P5,000 fine, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both at the discretion of the court, on the third and succeeding offenses.

Bars not allowed too

Under the ordinance, bars are not allowed to operate in times of public health emergencies during epidemics.

“The ordinance provides that restaurants shall be permitted to serve all kinds of food and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, provided that a customer shall be allowed a maximum of any alcoholic beverage with their meals during a two-hour meal,” read a statement from the Makati local government unit.

The allowable amount of alcoholic beverages are the following: two wine glasses of wine per person or maximum of one 750-milliliter bottle of wine for two diners; two units of 330-ml bottles or two beers in a glass of equivalent amount; and two servings of spirit or cocktail glasses.

Consumption of alcohol in bulk, pitchers, buckets, or cases shall not be allowed.

“Only those registered as food establishments may serve alcoholic drinks in the prescribed quantity, together with the meal ordered,” according to the LGU.

“Patrons shall not be allowed to buy food outside the establishment to accompany the alcoholic beverage. Food ordered for later consumption or take-out food shall not be considered as a dine-in meal that can be accompanied by alcoholic beverage,” it added.

Anyone who will consume an alcoholic beverage without a meal in any food business establishment will be penalized in accordance with City Ordinance No. 2020-152, which bans drinking liquor outside residence during a pandemic or similar crisis.

The ordinance imposes a fine of P5,000 on the first offense; P5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one month, or both on the second offense; and P5,000 or imprisonment for not more than a year, or both at the discretion of the court, on the third and succeeding offenses.

EDV