QC shuts down club for refusing to cooperate with mpox team

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has shut down a fitness club after it barred a contact tracing team to conduct an investigation in the establishment for possible mpox transmission.

Padlocked was Fahrenheit Cafe and Fitness Center or F Club located along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Monday.

She said the city government served a cease and desist order and Notice of Violation to the establishment.

On August 24, the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) went to F Club to initiate contact tracing measures, following instructions of the Department of Health.

«We consider this refusal to cooperate with the authorities a clear threat to the health and interest of QCitizens,» Belmonte said.

«The city government was prompt to act on this health matter but there would be a problem if we have this establishment that is not cooperating,» she added.

The mayor called on business owners to work closely with the city government on public health concerns.