Prime Minister ng Norway, nag-party kahit may COVID-19, pinagmulta

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | April 9, 2021

Pinagmulta ng Norwegian police si Prime Minister Erna Solberg matapos malabag ang social distancing rules sa inorganisa niyang family gathering para sa kanyang birthday party.

Ayon kay Police Chief Ole Saeverud, umabot sa 20,000 Norwegian crowns (P115,000) ang naturang multa.

Humingi naman ng paumanhin si PM Solberg dahil sa pag-organisa niya ng event para sa kanyang 60th birthday na dinaluhan ng 13 miyembro ng kanilang pamilya noong Pebrero.

Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa Norway ang mass gatherings na hihigit sa 10 katao dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic.

Paliwanag naman ni Saeverud sa pagpapataw ng multa kay PM Solberg, "Though the law is the same for all, all are not equal in front of the law.

"It is therefore correct to issue a fine in order to uphold the general public's trust in the rules on social restrictions.”

Ayon din sa pulis, ang asawa ni PM Solberg na si Sindre Finnes ay katuwang nito sa isinagawang selebrasyon at may nalabag man na batas, hindi na ito pinagmulta gayundin ang restaurant na pinagdausan ng event.

Pahayag pa ni Saeverud, “Solberg is the country’s leader and she has been at the forefront of the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus.”

Efren “Bata” Reyes, nag-sorry sa paglabag sa health protocol

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | March 17, 2021

Humingi ng paumanhin ang billiards champion na si Efren "Bata" Reyes matapos masangkot sa paglabag sa health protocols sa isang pool game sa San Pedro, Laguna kamakailan.

Ipinost ni Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra sa kanyang Twitter account ang sulat ni Reyes kung saan humihingi siya ng paumanhin.

Saad ni Reyes, "I am writing to you regarding the incident happened last March 11, 2021 in San Pedro, Laguna.” Aniya pa, “Before agreeing to the person who invited me, I informed them to ask permission to the local government or the barangay captain so that there will be no problem upon my arrival.”

Nu’ng umpisa raw ay kaunti lamang ang tao roon ngunit nang malaman na naroon siya ay nagpuntahan na rin ang iba. Saad pa ni Reyes, “At first, everything was smooth and only a few people were there. Since they heard the news of me visiting, their neighborhood were excited to see me in person that’s why safety protocols were not followed. The barangay captain was aware of the event, he reminded them to follow rules.”

Sa kumalat na video online, kinumpiska ng awtoridad ang kanilang kagamitan sa pagbi-billiards at maririnig din na pinapunta sila sa barangay hall.

Pahayag ni Reyes, “He kept on reminding the people watching the game to observe social distancing and follow the safety protocols (e.g. wearing face mask and face shield), but since they were not following, the barangay captain was forced to call the police. Calling the police was the only way of the barangay captain to make the watchers obey him.

The police officer informed me beforehand to just follow them to the barangay hall, so that everybody will comply. That’s why we went to the barangay hall with them. Then they gave us a warning and they gave back our cue stick. Then we went home after.

“I am deeply sorry for what happened, I don't have control over the situation and the people around the vicinity. "I, myself, was well aware of the safety protocols so that I will not acquire this virus and I'm hoping and praying for everyone's safety."