TACLOBAN City - Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez is placing the city under general community quarantine (GCQ) on September 1 until September 15.
While the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-IED) has asked the national IATF to place the whole Eastern Visayas under GCQ due to the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, including local and community transmission in some areas, the mayor has also signed an executive order mandating the same.
Gomez said that, even without the request of the RIATF, he was already inclined to adopt GCQ measures for Ormoc because of two incidents of COVID-19 infected persons considered authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), who entered and breached health protocols.
Movement of people will again be restricted, and the use of Quarantine Passes (QPs) will be restored, aside from the QRs under the executive order.
Senior citizens and people under 21 will still not be allowed to go out, unless for work, essentials, and emergencies.
Strict border controls will be restored, and stricter measures imposed on locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and APORs.
There will be limited operation of malls, while gyms, salons, spas, and entertainment services will be temporarily closed.
The mayor said religious activities will be allowed, but limited to only 50 percent of the venue’s capacity. He said he will also allow family gatherings like birthdays and weddings, as long as these are done in licensed venues like hotels and restaurants, subject to existing health protocols, and that serving of alcoholic beverages will not be allowed.
The mayor has also imposed a modified liquor ban. Selling and buying of alcoholic liquor will allowed, but these may not be consumed in public places.
Gomez said if Ormocanons will fully cooperate with the GCQ, it will be immediately lifted after September 15. “It will really depend on the cooperation of Ormocanons,” he said.
In 15 days, he said, any possible infection from COVID-19 infected people, who were able to enter Ormoc, should be immediately contained.