The City Government of Navotas closed down gyms, spas and internet cafes during the period of stricter general community quarantine in Metro Manila.
Mayor Toby Tiangco signed Executive Order 054, Series of 2021, Tuesday, imposing the temporary closure of all gyms and fitness centers, spas and massage parlors and internet cafes in the city from March 24 to April 4, 2021, unless otherwise extended.
This was in accordance with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution 21-05 and the Department of Trade and Industry Memorandum Circular 21-11,
The EO aims to further minimize the spread of COVID-19 and the surge in community transmission.
“The Navotas City Hospital and our community isolation have reached their full capacity due to the continuous increase of COVID-19 infections in our city. We need to take all the precautionary and safety measures to reduce the possibility of virus transmissions,” Tiangco said.
Equipment in gyms and fitness centers, as well as surfaces and areas, are shared among their patrons, thus increasing the risk of virus contamination. The same goes for internet cafes, where a number of people use a computer unit, raising the odds of transmissions.
On the other hand, social distancing in spas and massage parlors is nearly impossible, making it hard for the workers and clients to follow the minimum safety protocols.
“Let us continue to wear our face mask properly, practice social distancing, wash and disinfect our hands, and stay home as much as we can. The safety protocols are our primary protection from the virus, especially the new and more transmissible variants,” Tiangco said.