Limits remain with Cebu City under MECQ

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City may have been downgraded to modified enhanced community quarantine, a transition phase from ECQ to general community quarantine, until end of July but stringent restrictions on movement remain in the city.

Under the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ omnibus guidelines on community quarantine, as amended last July 3, MECQ still has “stringent limits on movement and transportation of people, strict regulation of operating industries, provision of food and essential services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols.”

Mayor Edgardo Labella’s Executive Order No. 084, which sets out guidelines under the MECQ, state that businesses under certain industries will be allowed to operate either in full capacity or 50 percent capacity depending on the kind of industry they belong but restrictions have to be observed.

“Restrictions remain. We still have to observe basic health protocols, wearing of masks. If you have nothing to do outside, just stay home,” Labella said in mixed Cebuano and English.

Mall allowed but…

Mall operations are now allowed but not yet in full blast and always in compliance with the minimum health standards. Restaurants may now also open but still only for delivery and take-out services.

However, tourist destinations remain padlocked, such as water parks, reservation services and related services; entertainment industries such as cinemas, theaters, and karaoke bars; kid amusement industries such as playroom and kiddie rides; libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers and internet cafes; gyms, fitness studios and sports facilities; and personal care services such as massage parlors, sauna, facial care and waxing.

Labella, nevertheless, said that although sports facilities and gyms are still disallowed, jogging is already permitted, as long as social distancing and other health protocols are practiced.

Under the MECQ, no public transportation is allowed. The city government will be providing buses to be used by residents in buying essential goods.

The odd-even scheme on the use of quarantine passes will also continue while curfew hours have been adjusted from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. of the following day, except for authorized persons.

Liquor ban also remains.

At the Carbon market complex, the use of the first letter of the resident’s family name is still in effect from Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. only.

Figures still high

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced Wednesday night Cebu City’s latest classification.

In the same announcement, the cities of Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue, along with the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolation, remain under GCQ while the rest of Cebu province remains under modified GCQ-medium risk classification.

As per IATF’s definition, GCQ refers to the implementation of temporary measures limiting movement and transportation, regulation of operating industries, and presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols and MGCQ as the transition phase between GCQ and the “new normal” when temporary measures are relaxed and become less necessary.

“Iisa lang po ang nasa MECQ (Cebu City). Ibig sabihin po, bagamat bahagyang bukas, sarado pa rin po ang lugar na nasa MECQ, except for yung mga indispensable industries. Ang labas po ang para lamang po sa mga neccesities at sa mga tatrabaho, kung allowed na po ang industriya ninyo magtrabaho,” Roque said during the latest quarantine update with President Rodrigo Duterte and the key members of the IATF.

Roque also emphasized that public gatherings are still a no-no.

“Bawal pa rin po ang public gathering, hanggang lima lang po ang public gathering at kailangang manatili po sa kanilang bahay maging home-liners,” he said.

In a separate briefing yesterday, Roque said the president is hoping that Cebuanos will continue to cooperate with authorities in containing the coronavirus cases. Task Force Cebu overseer Sec. Roy Cimatu earlier said he has noted an improvement in the locals’ attitude towards health safety.

Still, Cebu City’s numbers remain high.

“Bagamat kailangan pa ring pababain ang numero ng mga patay,” said Roque. As of last July 15, Cebu City had logged 389 total deaths and active cases of 3,155. From those active cases, 1,336 were being admitted to hospitals and 1,819 in isolation.

For his part, Labella is asking everyone’s cooperation in fighting the virus, saying the government cannot win the war alone. JMD  (FREEMAN)