INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday warned owners and operators of resorts and tourist attractions against possible violations of the minimum public health standards amid the influx of people with the onset of the summer season and relaxed mobility restrictions.
Año, a key member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), said harsh penalties await the erring summer establishments.
“The establishments, the resorts have a responsibility to perform (in the fight against COVID-19). If they don’t follow (the health protocols), we can warn them first,” Año told a radio interview.
“If they refuse to comply, there are a lot of sanctions that can be imposed. We can suspend their business permits or we can close these establishments if the violations are blatant,” he also said.
So far, Año said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has observed compliance by families and groups who have spending time in resorts and visiting the country’s tourist spots.
Año said the PNP has deployed policemen to resorts and tourist destinations as part of its Oplan Ligtas Sumvac or summer vacation, to enforce health protocols and other police functions.
He appealed to local government units to also remain alert in implementing health and safety guidelines to prevent a new surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
“What’s important really is the implementation of health protocols. We have tourist policemen who will be guarding our tourist spots and other areas,” the DILG chief said.
Travel restrictions have been eased in many parts of the country amid the continued improvement in the COVID-19 situation nationwide.
Metro Manila and more than 40 local government units are currently under the lowest Alert Level 1 of quarantine.
Año said authorities will continue to be strict in the implementation of health protocols in spite of the decreasing COVID-19 cases in the country.
“COVID-19 cases continue to go down but this does not mean we are going to be complacent,” said Año, adding the public should continue observing health protocols to keep the number of infections at a minimum.
He said the government’s goal is to put the entire county under Alert Level 1 by June by the time President Duterte’s term ends.
To attain this, Año said 90 million Filipinos should already be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by that time. At present, only 66 million Filipinos have received their two doses of vaccines.
Año also said people should continue observing health protocols even if COVID-19 cases are on the downtrend.
“The fight against COVID-19 should be the responsibility of every individual,” he stressed.
Año urged the public to report to authorities any violation of the MPHS in their communities so that violators can be warned and arrested if they refuse to heed reminders to observe health protocols.
Without giving figures, Año said index crimes, or crimes against persons and property, have increased after most provinces and cities in the country shifted to Alert Level 1.
“There is an increase o f index crimes, particularly theft. Since more people are going to malls and markets, more thieves are also going to these areas,” said Año.
