The government could shut down tiangge or bazaars if the operators cannot enforce minimum public health standards against the coronavirus outbreak, Malacañang said Tuesday.
(YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, health measures such wearing of masks and physical distancing must be enforced in these bazaars as more people are expected to shop during the holiday season.
"Kung maalala ninyo, noong tayo po ay unang-unang nagluwag ay talagang dinagsa ng tao ang mga malls at mayroong mga malls na isinarado po ng mga local na pamahalaan (If you remember, when we relaxed restrictions, many people trooped to the malls and some malls were temporarily shut down by the local government units)," Roque said during a televised press conference.
"So iri-remind ko lang po ang mga tiangge operators, pupuwede po kayong mapasara kapag hindi po ninyo in-observe ang social distancing (So I will remind the bazaar operators that you may be closed down if you do not observe social distancing)," he added.
Roque said flea markets or bazaars may implement certain measures to limit the number visitors to avoid overcrowding. Entry and exit points could be established to regulate the traffic of visitors in these shopping areas, he added.
"Kapag hindi po kayo nag-control ng crowd, baka mapasara kayo, lalo kayong mawalan ng negosyo (If you cannot control the crowd, you might be shut down and you might lose your business)," he said.
Roque also reminded the local government units about their responsibility to implement the health protocols in their areas of jurisdictions.
The public is also strongly advised to take precautions to protect their health while shopping for holiday gifts as well as celebrating the Christmas season.
"Alam nating kinakailangang mamili para sa Pasko pero ingatan naman natin ang ating mga sarili hindi lang para sa hanapbuhay kung hindi para tayo ay magkaroon ng maligayang Pasko (We know we need to shop for Christmas but let's take care of our health not only to be able to get to work but also have a merry Christmas),” Roque said.
"Dahil kapag kayo ay nagkasakit, nasaan ang Merry Christmas? (Because if we fall sick, where is the merry Christmas?" he said.
Roque said the Department of Health is preparing a contingency plan in case of a post-holiday surge in coronavirus cases in the country. He said it was better to prepare for any eventuality.
"Sa ngayon, alam natin na ang Christmas season ay isang masayang okasyon sa Pilipinas kung saan marami ang pagtitipon, pagkikita-kita at reunions ng mga miyembro ng pamilya at mahal sa buhay. Huwag kakalimutan ang minimum health protocol ng pamahalaan (At present, we know the Christmas season is a happy occasion in the Philippines where there are many gatherings and reunions of family members and loved ones. Let's not forget the minimum health protocols of the government)," he said.