ALERT LEVEL 3

QC asks malls to request customers to show vaccination card prior to entry

The Quezon City government on Sunday said it has requested shopping malls to ask customers to present their vaccination cards prior to entry.

However, those without vaccination cards will still be allowed inside malls but only to do essential activities such as buying groceries and availing of medical and government services.

The malls were also asked to submit to the LGU the names of those who are still unvaccinated so the LGU can schedule them for vaccination.

“As we want to vaccinate more people, we also directed mall managements to gather and list down the name, contact number, and barangay of unvaccinated patrons and submit it to the city government so they can immediately be scheduled for vaccination,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

The directive is part of the guidelines issued by the LGU for the Alert Level 3 being implemented in Metro Manila from October 16 to 31.

The LGU said it will also do spot inspections to check if establishments, especially indoor venues, comply with the Safety Seal standards set by the national and local government.

Movie houses are expected to install a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) safety system, require contact tracing forms from patrons, prohibit food to be brought inside cinemas, and do frequent cleaning and disinfection, in accordance with the "Sa Sine Safe Ka" program of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated. Those with Safety Seals will be allowed to have an additional 10% capacity.

The LGU said burials at home for those who died of non-COVID causes are now also allowed. However, burial or cremation should be done after a maximum of three days' wake. Only immediate family and not more than 10 persons may visit the wake.

The Quezon City government also said gambling, videoke, and drinking of alcoholic beverages during the wake are still prohibited.

Meanwhile, senior citizens who are fully vaccinated may dine indoors and outdoors.

The LGU urged residents to report any violations by establishments to its hotline 122 or via the website at https://quezoncity.gov.ph/file-report.

Belmonte warned establishments violating protocols that they will face penalties as stated in Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. —KG, GMA News