Organizing your company’s Christmas party in Taguig? You may need to apply for a permit to hold it.
The Taguig City government through its Taguig Safe City Task Force issued Advisory No. 60 on “Updated Guidelines for Certain Activities and Businesses during the Holiday Season under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the City of Taguig.”
It covers bazaars, parties and gatherings, religious gatherings and celebrations, and fireworks displays in the city.
The advisory stated that based on guidelines by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), certain establishments and activities during the Christmas season are allowed to operate at 50 percent venue or seating capacity for indoor areas and spaces, and 70 percent outdoor areas and spaces.
“Employees of establishments who intend to conduct bazaars, events, parties or gatherings must be fully vaccinated. Virtual parties or gatherings are highly encouraged. Holiday gatherings are highly recommended to be held at open or outdoor areas,” according to the city advisory.
For bazaars and events, and establishments that will hold holiday activities, they need to submit their event plan to the Safe City Task Force at http://bit.ly/GCQTaguigEvents.
“Application must be done at least 7 days before the event. Anything less than 7 days will be considered as rush application and does not guarantee priority evaluation and approval,” according to the form.
According to the guidelines, “To avoid overcrowding, flea markets, bazaars, and tiangges must post the maximum of people allowed in all entrances. Entry and Exit points must be established to regulate the traffic of people in the areas. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, all establishments must post health and safety standards and reminders in conspicuous places throughout the venue.”
It added that “only fully vaccinated adults and minors, regardless of vaccination status, shall be allowed to enter Christmas bazaars and events in indoor areas.
Fully vaccinated adults who want to access the premises must present a valid proof of vaccination.
For parties and gatherings, the Taguig City government set the following guidelines:
1. All public and private establishments that intend to conduct parties or gatherings must submit their event plan to the Safe City Task Force through this form: http://bit.ly/GCQTaguigEvents
2. Only fully vaccinated employees are allowed to participate or attend in-person gatherings
3. All parties and gatherings are highly encouraged to limit the event to not more than four (4) hours
4. Parties or gatherings are highly encouraged to avoid self-service buffets;
5. In order to lower the risk of transmission, individuals attending parties or gatherings must observe the following:
A. Face masks are required to be worn at all times. Face masks may be removed only when drinking or eating at their designated seat or table. Once they stand from their assigned seat or table, they must wear a mask at all times
B. Maintain social distancing of not less than one (1) meter
C. Physical contact must be reduced by avoiding games or activities that require face-to-face or close contact.
For religious gatherings and celebrations, the guidelines are:
1. All religious establishments that intend to conduct holiday activities must submit their event plan to the Safe City Task Force through this form: http://bit.ly/GCQTaguigEvents
2. Entry and exit points must be established to regulate the traffic of people in all areas where religious gatherings will be held
3. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, religious establishments must post health and safety standards and reminders in conspicuous places throughout the venue
4. Only fully vaccinated adults and minors, regardless of vaccination status, shall be allowed to enter indoor areas.
In addition, the Taguig task force advisory stated that “community fireworks displays are allowed only in the designated zones or areas in the City of Taguig during the holiday season.”
“All private and public establishments who wish to hold firework displays in any of the designated zones or areas must secure a clearance from the Safe City Task Force, aside from the required permits under the law. Applications may be sent via email at [email protected]," it added.
The task force warned that “any person in violation of these guidelines shall be penalized in accordance with Republic Act No. 11332, otherwise known as the ‘Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act’ in relation to Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Taguig City Ordinance No. 24, Series of 2020, otherwise known as the ‘New Normal Ordinance of Taguig City’ and other applicable laws and ordinances. This will be without prejudice to the filing of an administrative case if the violator is a government official or employee.”