Liquor ban back in QC as Metro Manila, nearby provinces revert to MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City has decided to impose a liquor ban again as Metro Manila and four nearby provinces revert on Tuesday to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to a continuous rise in COVID-19 cases.

A post from the city’s official Facebook page said that the liquor ban would run through the two-week MECQ, from Aug. 4 to 18.

Executive Order (EO) No. 35 series of 2020, which was signed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, limits the consumption of alcoholic beverages to private residences and no establishment is allowed to sell them during the MECQ.

“Any person, entity, or establishment found to be in violation of the provisions of this Order shall be meted sanctions, including but not limited to, closure, suspension, or revocation of its permit or license, or in the case of unlawful consumption, possible arrest, and the filing of criminal charges under applicable laws or ordinances,” the EO said.

“The City’s Department of Public Order and Safety, BPLD, LLRB, Barangay and other authorized City officials, together with the Quezon City Police District, shall enforce the provisions of this Order,” it added.

Quezon City previously placed a liquor ban after Metro Manila was placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which lasted until June.

Some Metro Manila cities that had declared and lifted a liquor ban before reimposed it after President Rodrigo Duterte made the MECQ announcement on Sunday night.

The total number of COVID-19 cases nationwide is still increasing, which at the moment stands at 106,330 after DOH reported 3,226 cases on Monday.

Of the total, 2,104 have died while 65,821 patients have recovered.

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