CEBU CITY--With the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on a steady rise here, strict border controls will be implemented once again starting on Monday, November 16.
This was announced by City Mayor Edgardo Labella, who said that “only those who have legitimate concerns, city residents and those working in the city will be allowed to enter and exit the city”.
The mayor said he will be issuing an executive order for the implementation of stricter border controls anew, while the requirement for local residents to have coded quarantine passes when going out of their homes will also be reimplemented.
The mayor also ordered barangay officials to ensure that minimum health standards will be strictly enforced in their areas.
"We don't want to go back to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that's why we have to be vigilant while the virus is still around," Labella added.
Quarantine protocols have eased up in the city in the past two months after it was downgraded to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
But lately, the city recorded a steady rise in the number of COVID-19 cases with the cases reaching double digits in the last four days.
Last Saturday, the city logged the highest number of fresh cases in two months of 59, that jacked up the active cases to 262.
With the rising number of COVID-19 infections, police on Friday launched "Oplan Bulabog" in which at least 125 persons were apprehended for various quarantine protocols violations.
Police inspected night establishments and caught several persons violating an EO that prohibits drinking in public places.
On Saturday, 42 more quarantine violators were apprehended.
City Councilor Joel Garganera, chief of the city's Emergency Operations Center, has asked the Association of Barangay Councils to provide areas such as barangays gyms that will be used as temporary holding facilities for quarantine violators.
Garganera said law enforcers will be stepping in as the public has become complacent in observing protocols.
The councilor has warned that the city may be placed under lockdown anew if another surge in COVID-19 cases is experienced.
Garganera and Police Regional Office-Central Visayas chief Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro have discussed the protocols that the city will be implementing to prevent another surge iin COVID-19 cases.
The police will coordinate with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to come up with protocols for all inbound passengers.