Pasig shuts down stalls in Mega Market

Pasig City closed some stalls in Pasig Mega Market for allegedly violating the minimum health and safety standards to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a Facebook post, Mayor Vico Sotto reminded anew business owners and residents to continue observing health measures and quarantine protocols amid the reimposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Sotto said it is painful for him to order closure of these market stalls especially that market vendors are providing essential commodities for the residents amid the health crisis.

"Ayaw na ayaw kong gawin to. Pero hindi puwedeng hayaan lang kapag lumalabag sa minimum health/safety standards -- lalo na yung pagsuot ng mask (I hate to do this but we can't just let go of those violating the minimum health and safety standards, particularly wearing of mask)," he said.

Stall owners and vendors were caught improperly wearing face masks and not observing physical distancing, which violates the directive of the local government on its pandemic response.

The local government has earlier announced the imposition of stringent health measures and guidelines in the Pasig mega market to further contain the local transmission of Covid-19, which includes strict observance of physical distancing and proper wearing of face masks among vendors and market-goers.

"Di nagkulang sa paalala ang Market Admin natin. Sana sumunod na ang bawat manininda (Our Market Admin was not remiss in reminding you. Hopefully every vendor would follow)," Sotto said. "Hindi naman ito para sa akin kung hindi para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa (This is not for my own sake, it's for everyone's safety)."

In a separate post, Sotto said the local government has closed an electronic bingo (e-bingo) outlet found illegally operating while the city was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).

“Closed. E-bingo na nagbukas habang GCQ. Alam naman nilang bawal. Lang** may pa safety reminders pa sa entrance (An e-bingo outlet operated during GCQ. They knew it was prohibited. They even placed safety reminders at the entrance),” Sotto said, as he shared photos of five individuals seen playing inside the outlet moments before authorities enforced the closure order.

According to the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), gambling and other betting activities are still prohibited to resume operations in areas under GCQ.

Sotto, meanwhile, reiterated the important reminders residents should follow during MECQ.

Residents are not allowed to go out and are urged to stay at home.

Those with essential travels including front line health workers, those part of the skeletal workforce, people with medical reasons, individuals with healthcare emergencies, and those who will purchase essential goods, are allowed to leave house premises.

Sotto said "permit to leave premises" is not anymore required but essential travelers should present a valid ID or proof of employment during their travels.

During the MECQ, there will be no mass gatherings, no dine-in policies, and no public transportation in Pasig City.

However, tricycles are authorized to operate only for essential travels.