Chan tightens rules amid mutation

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu has strengthened the implementation of its quarantine policies as the Department of Health (DOH)-7 confirmed that mutation was found in a sample taken from a city resident who tested positive for COVID-19.

The department emphasized, however, that this cannot be called a variant of the coronavirus just yet.

DOH-7 chief pathologist and spokesperson, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, said the sample from Lapu-Lapu is among the 59 of the 70 samples from Cebu that passed the screening for sequencing at the Philippine Genomic Center. Of the 59 samples, 37 were found to have two mutations of concern.

It was Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan who disclosed the discovery of the mutation in a Facebook post on Friday night.

“Sa pagtim-aw sa bag-ong mutation sa COVID-19 sa atong siyudad, wala koy laing gihunahuna kung dili ang kaluwasan ra gayud sa matag Oponganon,” Chan said in his post.

The mayor called for cooperation from all residents to stop the spread of the mutated virus but emphasized that he opposes recommendations to put Cebu back on lockdown.

“Dili ko mosugot nga ipaubos og lockdown ang atong dakbayan kay maapektuhan ang panginabuhian sa mga Oponganon. Kaya ni nato basta magtinabangay ta ug mosunod sa health protocols,” Chan said.

Chan has issued a much stringent executive order that suspended certain activities in the city temporarily while the city is under modified general community quarantine in February.

During this period, the city prohibits all types of non-essential mass gathering, all forms of contact sports and sporting events, cockfighting activities, karaoke, parties, internet cafe operations, among others.

However, mass gathering activities that have been booked at hotels, resorts, and tourism establishments yesterday, February 20, and today, February 21, will be allowed to push through.

 In the event of a fiesta, only family members or members of a household shall be allowed.

Drinking of any type of liquor in public and private places is also prohibited.

The city will also enforce the curfew strictly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The curfew, however, does not cover workers who are on duty within these hours. Those exempted must be able to present their company ID or certificate of employment.

Those who are 15 years old and below, and 65 years old and above, are still not allowed to go out.

“Usbon lang nako nga tungod kay anaa pa kita sa MGCQ, kasamtangan pa natong gipatuman ang pagdala og quarantine pass. Dili ka angay mogawas sa inyung panimalay kung wala kay quarantine pass, gawas na lang kung adunay emerhensiya o lakaw nga medikal,” Chan said.

The EO also imposed number coding of quarantine passes in going to the public market, supermarkets, and department stores.

The city also strictly implements the number coding scheme for vehicles wherein only vehicles with odd number on the last digit of their plate number are allowed to travel on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while those whose plate number ends with an even number are only allowed to travel on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The scheme is suspended only Sundays. — JMO (FREEMAN)