The city government has enforced a stricter liquor ban starting today, March 29, to force people into going straight home from work.
In an announcement of the city government on its Facebook post yesterday, the liquor ban will begin from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., which will continue “until the Public Health Emergency is lited.”
Davao City already has an existing ordinance that prohibits drinking in public places beyond 1 a.m. One of the main objectives of the community quarantine amid the threat of COVID-19 is social distancing. It means people are discouraged from congregating in groups, particularly in enclosed spaces.
As an amendment to the original liquor ban (Ordinance No. 1627) in 1994, the city government issued a new ordinance in 2013 (Ordinance No. 004-13) entitled “An ordinance regulating the operation of business establishments selling liquors, coconut wine, and other nature wine and other alcoholic beverages in the city of Davao.”
However, City Hall has received reports that bars, videoke joints, and clubs continue to serve alcohol even if it’s already after midnight, a clear violation of the ordinance that was first passed in 1994 but amended in 2013.
In a previous City Information Office report, Mayor Sara Duterte met with around 200 establishment owners reminding them about the strict compliance with the ordinance.
“We are here to help you, to support you — that is why we have this meeting. We don’t want to close your businesses,” she said.
Meanwhile, Duterte has clarified that the lockdown at the Lasang checkpoint for Tagum residents will be lifted starting at 12:01 on March 29.
“At 12 midnight, they will dismantle the travel ban and other prohibitions at the Lasang checkpoint,” she said.
“Only Davaoeños can go around our region,” she said.
However, she discouraged the public from going to the beach or take a vacation. The lifting of the travel ban was meant for workers and the delivery vehicles.
“Because all non-essentials, we already told them to stay home,” she said.
The Davao Region COVID-19 Task Force will be implementing the suspension of the land, sea, and domestic and international air travel for 14 days. And it may be reduced to seven days upon review of the Infectious disease specialist consultant.
