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No travel restrictions in Iloilo City under MECQ

Philippines | Luzon

No travel restrictions in Iloilo City under MECQ

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY—While this city was reverted back to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) Friday, September 25, due to the rising number of cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) local transmission, there were no travel restrictions imposed.

People still went about their daily business Friday, September 25, despite the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status of Iloilo City. (Tara Yap/Manila Bulletin)

Mayor Jerry Treñas still allowed all public transportation, including jeepneys and taxis to operate, while there were no border restrictions imposed on residents from other towns of Iloilo or Guimaras province in going to Iloilo City, the regional capital of Western Visayas.

“We do not want businesses to be highly affected,” explained Treñas.

The Manila Bulletin observed Friday that many people still went about with their daily activities even though the national government’s MECQ guidelines supposedly prohibits non-authorized personnel from leaving their homes.

Grocery stores, department stores, banks, and restaurants remained open. But there were several establishments that were closed, including hardware stores, saloons and gyms.

Some citizens The Manila Bulletin spoke to expressed surprise over how lax the protocols were when the city was supposed to be under MECQ, which is tentatively set to last until October 9.

The only big difference was that the city government imposed a liquor ban anew, and implemented a 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily curfew.

Meanwhile, the city government assured that it will strictly enforce MECQ protocols in the next few days for a two-week period.

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