The city government has issued an advisory temporarily banning karaoke singing in public establishments and regulating its use in homes during the enhance community quarantine (ECQ).
City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa said that sing-alongs encourage gatherings and close contact among people through its remote controls, microphones, and songbooks, thereby contradicting the guidelines on social distancing.
He said that a temporary ban on public sing-along and regulation of karaoke at home are intended to promote social distancing, decreasing person-to-person contact as well as contact with surfaces that may harbor the coronavirus disease.
“Sing-along encourages close contact among people. This [temporary ban] aims to contain the spread of COVID-19. Since the declaration of ECH of entire Luzon, movement of the people\ are prohibited,” he said in the advisory.
Pedrosa said that temporary ban and regulation on sing-along shall take effect immediately, and until the ordinance is passed by the Sangguniang Panlunsod, shall remain in full force and effect during the ECQ period imposed over the entire Luzon by the national government.
Under the advisory, monitoring and enforcement will be implemented by the city PNP in coordination with barangay officials, tanod, city public order and safety and City Anti-Crime Task Force (ACTF).
Any person of legal age found violating will be recommended for prosecution.
Any public officer who knowingly and maliciously prevents, prohibits, refuses, discontinues or violates the implementation of the temporary ban will be held liable under applicable laws.
