The Joint Task Force COVID Shield yesterday ordered police forces in Cavite to intensify their presence at the provincial borders and in Tagaytay City to effectively manage and control the arrival of visitors following the decision of the local officials to open their borders to tourists.
Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the JTF COVID Shield, said the intensified police presence will ensure the protection of both the tourists and the local residents of Tagaytay City from the possible upsurge of COVID-19.
Eleazar said one of the health safety protocols that Cavite local police forces should focus on is the entry of unauthorized tourists or those coming from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and higher quarantine status areas with no travel authority.
These include the setting up of quarantine protocol point (QCP) between the boundary of Laguna and Cavite.
Although both Laguna and Cavite are under the modified GCQ, the setting up of QCP is essential to ensure that those coming from GCQ areas, particularly from Metro Manila, would not be able to enter Cavite without a travel authority.
Other measures are the wearing of both face mask and face shield, and observation of physical distancing, checking of body temperature especially those entering restaurants, and ensuring that contact tracing mechanism is followed.
“We support the coordination and collaboration of the LGUs and the law enforcement agencies. This is a work in progress. This is the first time that we have tourism being encouraged in an area near Metro Manila,” said Eleazar.
“The success and failure of the reopening of Tagaytay City depends on the smooth and regular coordination between the local government units (LGUs) in Cavite and the local police forces. If Tagaytay City succeeds in this effort, then this will definitely be replicated by other LGUs especially those with tourist destinations. We do not want a scenario of an increase in COVID cases to happen. That is why necessary health protocols must be properly and strictly implemented,” he added.