63 QC restobar employees, guests cited for violating curfew, health protocols

Sixty-three employees and guests of a restobar in Quezon City were given citation for violating quarantine curfew guidelines and health protocols before dawn on Tuesday.

During the raid conducted by the Quezon City Task Force Disiplina, the restobar on Mother Ignacia Avenue was found operating past 12 a.m. during curfew hours, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Guests were also sitting close to each other, disregarding social distancing.

Authorities also found the employees not wearing face masks and serving unlimited liquor.

"Kitang kita ko 'yung mga violation nila. Unang-una, social distancing. And then bawal pa sa GCQ [general community quarantine] 'yung unlimited na serving of alcohol, beer or alcohol drinks. Unlimited po 'yan," QC Task Force Disiplina Action Officer Rannie Ludovica said.

"And then mahigit na ipinagbabawal, sa KTV nga bawal ang karaoke, pero sila may banda pa. Lalo na ang mga employees, talagang walang mask, walang social distancing dahil 9:00 nandito na ako eh, 9 o'clock ng gabi ino-observe ko talaga," he said.

"Pinupuntahan ho talaga ito. Reported nga noong Friday and Saturday mas full-packed ang mga tao rito," Ludovica added.

To make matters worse, the establishment was found to have no mayor's permit yet.

The local government first received information from concerned residents last week that a party was being held at the restobar even during the curfew hours.

Customers who arrived past 11 p.m. were among those given citations for the violation. They said however that they just went to the restobar to eat.

According to an employee, Monday was the restobar's grand opening, thus they had a band. They also strictly enforced health protocols, he said.

"Magsasara na po kami. Inuubos lang nila 'yung inumin nila. Kaya nu'ng opening namin may banda kami. 'Pag hindi po sila magkakakilala, nakalayo po sila. 'Yung mga grupo kasi is usually magkakapamilya sila," the employee said.

Quezon City is under GCQ during this COVID-19 pandemic until Feb. 28. —KG, GMA News