Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay has ordered the closure and revocation of permits of two resto-bars in Barangay Poblacion for violating curfew and letting their customers break health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Policemen raided Movida Fashion Food and Club and Royal Club Makati on Friday (March 5).
Binay warned commercial establishments in Makati City and their customers that “the city government will bring down the full force of the law on violators of city ordinances and safety protocols against COVID-19.”
“We are alarmed by the blatant disregard for the law and cavalier attitude shown by these establishments and their clients. Let me remind everyone that we are still in a pandemic. With the presence of new variants, we need to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols at all times,” the mayor said in a statement.
She added that the city will not hesitate to shut down establishments that violate health and safety rules.
“Safety comes first. People's lives are at stake here.”
During the raids, policemen apprehended 51 individuals of various nationalities at the two resto-bars.
Makati City Public Safety Department (PSD) personnel issued P1, 000 citation tickets to each of the violators.
Makati City Ordinance No. 2020-165 provides guidelines for the operations of all restaurants and fast food businesses in the city during the pandemic, with specific provisions for each level of community quarantine. However, bars shall remain closed for the duration of an emergency like the pandemic.
“Dine-in services are strictly prohibited when the city is placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, a maximum of 30 percent of dine-in service capacity is allowed, subject to strict compliance with the minimum public health standards and social distancing protocols. Under the General Community Quarantine, a maximum of 50 percent; and Modified General Community Quarantine, a maximum of 75 percent of dine-in service capacity,” it said.