The provincial board has approved the lifting of the liquor ban in Palawan, but public consumption remains prohibited.
Board member Ryan Maminta, who authored Provincial Ordinance No. 2245-2020 that placed Palawan under a liquor ban in April, said they have amended it to allow the purchase of alcoholic beverages within its jurisdiction.
“The purchasing of liquor and other alcoholic beverages shall be allowed within the territorial jurisdiction of Palawan. However, the serving and consumption in public places shall be strictly prohibited,” he said.
“Individuals who will be found drinking liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public places, or are found intoxicated in such areas, shall be immediately apprehended,” Maminta added.
Those who wish to drink alcoholic beverages may only do so within the confines of their homes. Social distancing must be observed, he said.
The provincial board also amended the ordinance to mandate the strict wearing of face masks and maintenance of social or physical distancing among others.
Under Section 7 of the ordinance, everyone should keep a distance of at least three feet or one meter away from other people to reduce the possibility of person-to-person transmission.
This distance should be observed even by healthy individuals without symptoms. In accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), this rule shall likewise be observed by passengers inside public utility vehicles.
Mass gatherings are strictly prohibited.
Religious congregations are allowed but should observe physical distancing and that concerned religious denominations, as well as its attendees/members, shall ensure that the prescribed minimum public health standards shall be observed throughout the entire religious activity.
Curfew hours have been set from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The measure is still subject to final approval of Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez.
