INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday ordered the PNP and local government units to close non-essential establishments which have reportedly re-opened despite the extension of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
“Make sure that business establishments that are not allowed to operate under IATF guidelines remain closed. The ECQ is still in full force and effect. There is no partial lifting whatsoever. Our country will heal as one if and only if the government, the private sector, and the people stick to the strict enforcement of ECQ,” said Año.
Año said the DILG has received reports that some non-essential commercial establishments have started operating again. These include retail sellers of mobile phone repair accessories, house paraphernalia and clothing and footwear products, among others.
Guidelines approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) mandate that only essential establishments, like public markets, supermarkets, food stores and drug stores, are allowed to operate during the ECQ period.
Aside from the IATF guidelines, Año said the PNP has the authority to arrest owners or staff personnel who refuse to close their non-essential shops under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (resistance or disobedience to persons in authority).
The offense for such act is arresto mayor or imprisonment of one month and one day to six months, and a fine of up to P100,000.
Año said the re-opening of these non-essential businesses is putting in jeopardy government efforts to slow down, if not totally stop, the spread of the coronavirus.
“Let us think of our country first before business. Let us all observe discipline so that we can recover from this challenge,” Año said, addressing erring establishments.
