Authorities arrested 12 individuals who were caught working out in an operating gym in Quezon City despite its ban amid the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Task Force Disiplina led by Rodolfo Leyco Jr. raided a gym in Barangay Holy Spirit and caught some men lifting weights and not wearing face masks. Twelve were arrested according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Monday.
The violators immediately wore their face masks upon seeing the Task Force Disiplina members.
Some of the gym-goers said they did not know that gym operation is still prohibited during GCQ, while others claimed they were following health protocols.
One even defended that they needed to exercise to strengthen their immune system while another said he was not working out but just eating in the are.
The gym’s owner was not present at the time of the raid, but authorities said he would face charges for violating GCQ rules.
Authorities brought the gym-goers to Batasan Police Station. They would face charges of violation of the Republic Act 13332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
The government postponed the reopening of specific sectors under GCQ until the end of August, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
“The NTF (National Task Force) last night basically reaffirmed earlier Cabinet meeting, presided by ES (the Executive Secretary), to postpone the reopening of the last batch of sectors, to areas recently declared under MECQ until Aug. 18, and declared GCQ starting Aug. 19,” Lopez said in a text message.
“The reopening of last-batch sectors such as gyms, review centers, internet cafes will be postponed until August 31, following the principle of gradual reopening from MECQ to GCQ,” he added.
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The following areas would be under GCQ from August 16 until August 31:
- Nueva Ecija
- Batangas
- Iloilo City
- Cebu City
- Lapu Lapu City
- Mandaue City
- Talisay City
- Municipality of Minglanilla in Cebu
- Municipality of Consolacion in Cebu
“The rest of the country are placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), with some provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities with strict enforcement of local action,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said.