TO : ALL CITY/MUNICIPAL MAYORS
This Province

SUBJECT : CLARIFICATORY POINTS ON THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
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RATIONALE

The Province of Davao del Norte has been included in the list of risk areas in the Philippines to shift to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) effective 01 December 2020 until 31 December 2020, in a recent pronouncement from the national government.

Pursuant to the said declaration, the Provincial Government issued Executive Order No. 67, s. 2020 (as further amended by Executive Order No. 67-A, series of 2020), placing the entire Province of Davao del Norte under GCQ until 31 December 2020.

While on GCQ, the Provincial Government adopts to the latest guidelines (with amendments as of 19 November 2020) set forth by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the recommendations of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Whereas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Memorandum Circular No. 20-22, s. 2020 which provides the list of business establishments or activities allowed to operate in areas declared under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and GCQ. This was further updated with the latest issuance of DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-57, which contains the latest allowable operational capacity of more business establishments or activities under Category III.

Whereas, there is a need to provide clarifications regarding several provisions of Executive Order No. 67, s. 2020 and Executive Order No. 67-A, s. 2020 in conjunction with the IATF Omnibus Guidelines and the DTI Memorandum Circular.

Wherefore, with the above premise, this circular serves to provide clarification on the issuance of Executive Order No. 67, s. 2020, particularly:

1. On permitted establishments and activities during GCQ:
Dine-in restaurants are allowed to operate during GCQ, up to 50% seating capacity of the venue, subject to the observance of strict physical distancing.

2. On Mass Gatherings and Religious Gatherings during GCQ:

Weddings, baptisms, and other religious ceremonies are considered religious services which are allowed up to 30% of the venue seating capacity. Provided, that attendees should be limited to immediate family members only. Provided further, that permission from the LGU should be secured first. All other non-religious or private gatherings are prohibited during the GCQ.

Live events such as Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions (MICE) and business events are prohibited under GCQ.

3. On hotels and accommodation establishments operation during GCQ:

Hotels and accommodation establishments may be allowed to operate during GCQ only upon the issuance of a latest Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism upon the effectivity of the GCQ in the province.

Moreover, services allowed during GCQ shall be limited to provision of basic accommodation services, serving of packed meals for distribution to guests, and food orders for take-out and delivery.

No Certificate of Authority to Operate is needed for hotels and accommodation establishments that are accommodating:

• For guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of 17 March 2020 for Luzon and 01 May 2020 for other areas;
• Guests who have existing long-term bookings;
• Distressed OFWs and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals;
• Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine protocols;
• Non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantined;
• Healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under the IATF-EID Omnibus Guidelines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary; and
• Markets of specialized programs of the Department of Tourism


4. On Gyms/Fitness Studios and Sports Facilities

Gyms/Fitness Studios and Sports Facilities are allowed to operate during GCQ up to 75% operational capacity, but limited only to individual workouts. Group workout sessions composed of two(2) or more persons (e.g. zumba, yoga, pilates, etc.) shall be strictly prohibited.

Sports Facilities are also limited to individual and non-contact sports/activities and other forms exercise only, such as walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding.

5. On Tourist Destinations operation

Tourist destinations within the province, such as water parks, beaches, resorts, etc. are not allowed to operate during GCQ.

Memorandum Circulars may be issued from time to time as may be deemed necessary to provide clarificatory points relative to the implementation of the GCQ.

For your information.

EDWIN I. JUBAHIB
Governor

 

 

 

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