Catbalogan City has required the installation of CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras in venues for private social events to facilitate possible contact tracing amid the threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

These social gatherings include birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and reunions, among others held in hotels, convention centers, resorts, rented private venues, and private houses.

Mayor Dexter Uy said a prior written request must be submitted to his office indicating the date and venue of the activity and list of participants, which must not be more than 50 percent of the venue’s capacity.

The city inter-agency task force (IATF) on Covid-19 or the Catbalogan Incident Command-Emergency Operation Center will be tasked to inspect the venue.
“It must have installed CCTV for contact tracing and designated areas for hand washing and temperature checking for participants. Buffet food serving is prohibited,” Uy said in a statement on Tuesday.

Organizers must also sign an undertaking that allows the city police, IATF, or any authorized agencies or officers to enter the venue during the activity to assess compliance with health protocols, and if deliberate violations are made, the activity must be stopped.

Uy said these regulations stipulated under Executive Order (EO) No. 12-003 will take effect until revoked or superseded by subsequent issuances.

The EO issued on Sunday also prohibits face-to-face caroling and Christmas parties in public and private offices to avoid large gatherings that would risk the spread of the virus.

The city government has ordered village officials to set up checkpoints on Dec. 24 and 25 and on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, prohibiting entry of non-residents.

As of Dec. 12, the city has recorded a total of 893 coronavirus cases, including 844 recoveries, and six deaths, based on the monitoring report of the local health office. (PNA)