Malacañang on Tuesday warned “tiangges” or bazaar operators of possible closure if they fail to observe minimum health and safety standards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the reminder as more people are expected to flock to tiangges with the holiday season fast approaching.

“Iri-remind ko lang po ang mga tiangge operators, pupuwede po kayong mapasara kapag hindi po ninyo in-observe ang social distancing (Let me remind tiangge operators, you can be closed down if you don’t observe social distancing),” he said.

He also reminded them to ensure that only a limited number of shoppers inside their stores and that there are designated entry and exit points for shoppers.

“Pupuwede namang pong limitahan iyong mga pumapasok sa mga tiangge, kinakailangan lang magkaroon ng special entry at the exit point. Kapag hindi po kayo nag-control ng crowd, baka mapasara kayo, lalo kayong mawalan ng negosyo (You can limit the number of people entering the tiangge, there should be a special entry and exit point. If you don’t control the crowd, you might risk getting closed and lose your livelihood),” he added.

Roque also urged local government units (LGUs) to do their part in monitoring tiangges to prevent people from gathering in one area.

“Alam nating kinakailangang mamili para sa Pasko pero ingatan naman natin ang ating mga sarili hindi lang para sa hanapbuhay kung hindi para tayo ay magkaroon ng maligayang Pasko dahil kapag kayo ay nagkasakit, nasaan ang Merry Christmas (We know that we need to shop for Christmas but let’s take care of ourselves not just so we can work but so we can have a merry Christmas because if you get sick, how will you have a Merry Christmas)?” he said.

In a taped public address aired Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call to strictly follow minimum health and safety protocols to prevent a post-Christmas holiday surge of Covid-19 cases.

“So mga kababayan, importante the washing of hands, social distancing, ‘wag na lumapit (So, my countrymen, washing of hands is very important, social distancing, don’t get closer),” Duterte said.

The Department of Health earlier warned that Covid-19 cases could surge during the holiday season, stressing the public should stay indoors to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

As of Tuesday, health authorities announced 1,118 more cases of Covid-19, pushing the nationwide tally to 421,722.

The country’s recoveries rose 386,792 with 196 added to the Department of Health’s tally but 12 more patients succumbed to the disease, bringing the death toll to 8,185. (PNA)