At least five eateries were shuttered on Monday for violating the physical distancing protocol imposed by the city government as part of the community quarantine.
In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, Mayor Sara Duterte said these eateries allowed customers to dine inside their places.
Even with the strict guidelines being implemented by the city government during this period of community quarantine, some eateries and food stalls are still allowed to operate as long as they sell food on a take-out basis.
“When I saw it, I was disappointed because of course, (you) already had the chance to continue your business while others were already ordered to close. But you just violated the conditions set for you to open,” Mayor Duterte said.
She said these eateries were allowed to continue to serve mainly city government workers who could not work from home.
“We have created an inspection team who will roam around (the establishments) to ensure that people are following the measures being implemented by our doctors on the ground,” Duterte said.
Ambulant vendors allowed, however…
Meanwhile, ambulant or warik-warik vendors will be allowed to work even during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
“As long as they will follow the protocols, they will be allowed to work,” Duterte said on Tuesday.
They will help decongest the public markets as they can help deliver food and other goods from household to household. However, she said these ambulant vendors must sell basic commodities, such as rice, meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits.
“This will also help these warik-warik vendors to have a work and cope with their income loss,” she said.
However, street food vendors will not be allowed to operate.
“You do not go to the public market to buy fishballs or kwek-kweks. They are not allowed to work,” she said.
Duterte bared that three rolling trucks are expected to start operating within the week.
These rolling trucks will serve as a mobile wet market that will also sell those products in the market. The rolling trucks were proposed by a group of businessmen so that people won’t be forced to risk their health in the crowded wet markets.
But Duterte said that the rolling markets should also follow the strict protocols on social distancing and proper hygiene. Any violation of the agreement will result in the revocation of their permit.
Finally. sari-sari (sundry) stores will also be allowed to operate but only before the curfew hours, which starts from nine o’clock in the evening. (With Samantha Burgos)
