TACLOBAN – City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has issued an executive order, extending the implementation of a general community quarantine (GCQ) here until September 30, in order to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The order mandates all government and non-government offices, business establishments, and industries in Tacloban to have an “expedient and effective surveillance system by downloading the Tacloban City Safety Application and using the QR code system”.
"In addition to the prescribed minimum health standards under the guidelines of the inter-agency task force (IATF), said order requires the wearing of face shield while riding in public transportation or whenever inside any establishment within the city," the order said.
Malls and establishments were also ordered to have at least one isolation area near the entrance. Medium to large private establishments with multiple tenants were encouraged to designate an isolation area for every 200 employees other than the company clinic. Private establishments that are unable to establish an isolation area may make arrangements with a temporary treatment and monitoring facility with the city government or city health office for referrals.
All persons were enjoined to stay at home from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m., except for workers going home from office or industries permitted to operate during emergency circumstances, and public transport providers.
Movement of all persons under the GCQ shall be limited to accessing
essential goods and services, and for work in the offices or
industries permitted to operate.
The liquor ban remains in force for the duration of the GCQ, and bars and resto-bars will remain closed while selling, buying, possession.
The city had been placed under GCQ from August 24 until September 8.
The reclassification was asked by the city government as a preemptive
measure to avoid implementing a lockdown in case the situation
worsens, and in order to balance the economic activity and public
health. However, zonal lockdowns are implemented in case of
clustering of COVID-19 cases.
Tacloban City has a total of 552 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, September 9.