DILG to LGUs: Remove window hours to buy food

Local government units should remove the window hours they earlier set or risk gathering crowds in markets which could increase the possibility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

Año was referring to directive made by local government units restricting the operation of public and private markets to reduce foot traffic and observe social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Iyong sa palengke, I am advising LGUs to lift the window hours for marketing/buying [food in the market]. Kasi kung may window hour, pagkukumpol-kumpulin mo lalo ang tao riyan,” the DILG chief said in a press conference.

“Dapat, 12 hours [na allowed bumili ang tao ng essentials], observing social distancing,” he added.

Some local government units set the market window hours from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. while others set it from 8 am to 10 am .

According to guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, each household should designate one member to buy essential needs like food and medicines.

Despite this measure, there are markets which are packed with crowds at certain times of the day since the enhanced community quarantine banned mass transportation which results in people taking longer time to go to and leave the market.

The Philippines has 552 COVID-19 cases, as of March 25. Of this number, 35 have died while 20 others recovered. At least 704 individuals, however, tested negative for COVID-19.

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is expected to end by April 13, Monday.—AOL, GMA News