Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield has instructed on Thursday all police commanders to coordinate with local officials in their respective areas reminding owners of the internet shops, that were allowed by the Local Government Units (LGUs) to operate under community quarantine, to strictly observe the guidelines and quarantine protocols as the re-opening of classes starts on October 5.
Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Commander of the JTF COVID Shield, made the coordination with the PNP in anticipation of possible violations in 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 maybe some of them who would go to the internet shops for their online classes for the use of computers and to avail internet connections,” said Eleazar.
“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 guidelines set forth by the IATF-EID (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 the business establishments which were allowed to operate on September as the government began to initiate strategies and actions to normalize the business operations for the revival of the economy which was adversely affected by the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
The Department of Education, on the other hand, said it will push through with the October 5 opening of the classes in public schools.
Eleazar said internet shops would likely be a go-to place beginning next week as some students and parents start to comply with the school requirements under the “new normal.”
As such, he said police commanders should start by accounting all the operating computer shops in their respective Areas of Responsibility (AORs) and start the coordination with the LGUs down to the barangay level to ensure that the guidelines of both the IATF-EID and the LGUs are observed.
He also appealed to the internet shop owners to do their share in ensuring that their establishments are always disinfected and the rules on health safety are strictly and properly observed.
Eleazar said that Chief PNP, General Camilo Cascolan also urged local commanders to find ways to assist the students at least in the use of internet.
“We are all in this together. We should help each other out first by ensuring the protection of students and parents who would possibly go to the computer shops for online classes and second, to help out students if there are opportunities to help them cope with the new normal in the conduct of classes,” Eleazar said.