Hungry riders dine in at roadside eatery despite quarantine ban

Food delivery riders in Metro Manila have been taking their lunches at roadside eateries despite the ban on dining in at restaurants under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras,” the riders flock to one such eatery  because it was the only accessible place where they can have lunch.

“Dito po ‘yung bukas na karinderya e kaya kahit nasa malayo kami e dito po kami pumupunta kasi ang hirap po kumain. Wala pong bukas na tindahan,” one rider said.

The owner of the establishment said he could not stop its operations due to the high demand from customers.

He added that his staff also enforce social distancing measures to prevent possible coronavirus transmission.

“Kung hindi po ninyo kayang masunod ‘yung takeout namin, diskarte na lang din kayo kung papaano pero iaapply pa rin ‘yung one meter distancing natin pero hindi rin pupuwede na magtatagal kayo kumain,” the owner said.

“Gustuhin din man namin magsarado e wala rin naman kaming mapagkukunan. Diyan din kami kumukuha ng ikinabubuhay… Sa walo kong anak, nangungupahan pa ‘ko,” he added.

The Department of Trade and Industry reiterated that dining in at restaurants was not yet allowed.

“Sa ngayon hindi pa [puwede] kasi hindi pa tayo tapos sa protocols natin for dine in restaurants,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said. -Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News