Sale signage is seen at a store on a mall in Manila. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A.R EYES
MANILA, Philippines — Local police chiefs were ordered to work with mall owners in the crafting of health rules to be enforced during big sale events amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield said Saturday.
In a statement, JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar issued the directive as crowds are expected to gather inside malls during promotional events.
“The JTF COVID Shield fully [supports] the efforts of our national government [and] all the efforts that would generate more economic activities. We in the JTF COVID Shield have been adjusting our security and health safety measures to strike a balance between the need to revive our economy and in ensuring the protection of our kababayan,” said Eleazar who is also the deputy chief of administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
“Even before the pandemic, the local police were actively involved in security planning for big sales and other events. Amid the threat of the coronavirus, the need for cooperation between the business community and the Philippine National Police (PNP) is even more important,” he added.
The national government has allowed sale events in malls in general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas in a bid to revive the economy.