Task force reminds internet cafe owners to follow minimum health protocols

October 1, 2020

As classes open on October 5, Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Thursday reminded internet café owners that minimum health protocols must be observed and minors are not allowed in their establishments.

According to Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, they instructed all police commanders to coordinate with local officials in their respective areas reminding owners of the internet shops, which were allowed by local government units (LGUs) to operate under community quarantine, to strictly observe guidelines and quarantine protocols.

Police commanders should start by accounting for all computer shops in their aAreas of responsibility (AORs) and start the coordination with the LGUs down to the barangay level to ensure that guidelines of the IATF and the LGUs are observed.

Eleazar made the coordination with the PNP in anticipation of possible violations of allowing minors to go inside the internet shops starting next week.

“We understand that a number of elementary and high school students in the public schools do not have computers, laptops and other gadgets for the opening of classes so there may be some of them who would go to the internet shops for their online classes for the use of computers and to avail of internet connections,” he said.

“Our commanders on the ground should take the lead not only in reminding the internet shop owners that minors should not be allowed to enter in accordance of the guideline of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases) but also in making sure that this and other rules are strictly and properly observed,” he added.

Internet shops were among business establishments allowed to operate in September as the government began to revive business operations.

He also appealed to the internet shop owners to make sure their establishments are always disinfected and the rules on health safety are strictly followed. Ella Dionisio/DMS