The local government of Muntinlupa has ordered exempted business establishments during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to limit their operating hours from 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in a bid to reduce movement of people and effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
The Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2020-070 imposing limited operating hours for convenience stores, sari-sari stores, talipapa, and groceries.
It shall also mandated the said establishments to implement social distancing during their operations as advised by the Department of Health and the Muntinlupa City Health Office. Violators shall be given a warning for the first offense and cancellation of business permit for the remainder of the current year for succeeding offenses.
Earlier, the Muntinlupa City Council also approved the anti-hoarding ordinance that restrict bulk-buying of basic commodities to discourage panic-buying among its residents.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi assured the public that there is no need for panic buying during the health emergency as there is enough supply of basic items. The local chief executive has called for an emergency meeting with supermarket and grocery operators on Monday to ensure that there is no shortage of supply for Muntinlupa City residents.
Also, establishments offering non-essential services have been mandated to cease operations as per Ordinance 2020-080.
Essential industries are exempted from cessation of operations including supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, industries involved in food manufacturing, processing, distribution, and industries involved in the provision of medicines, medical supplies, and medical care. Other exempted establishments include banks, padala centers, water stations, and utilities.
Muntinlupa City is now under a 24-hour curfew amid the enhanced community quarantine.
Mayor Fresnedi said the local government will implement stricter measures after receiving reports that many residents still go out in the streets and do not observe social distancing while the quarantine is in effect.
“Our barangay chairmen reported that the imposition of the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew hours is not an effective deterrent for the public to stay at home. For this reason, I have ordered a round the clock curfew so that our kababayans will remain in their houses and reduce their risks from being infected by the virus,” Fresnedi said.
He also urged the city residents to refrain from going out unless it’s important and follow protocols provided by the local and national government.
As of March 23, the Muntinlupa City Health Office recorded 156 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), 68 Persons Under Investigation (PUI), and eight confirmed cases in the city. For concerns related to community quarantine and COVID-19 testing, Muntinlupa City residents may reach hotline nos.