Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella is not considering reverting the city back to stricter quarantine status following the recent spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
Labella said there is no “compelling reason” for Cebu City to be placed back to General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
“After all, our MGCQ is still controlled. We have Q [quarantine] passes, we prevent the gathering of people and observe protocols,” said Labella, who took a few days to rest due to an ear infection.
He insists that the city is “doing its best” and that they are not “totally complacent.”
“Even if [the] IATF allowed those aged at least 15 years old to go out, I did not allow it. We did not even allow cockfighting,” he added.
Labella prefers the implementation of granular lockdowns to barangay lockdowns in areas with many reported cases of Covid-19. He said placing more significant areas under lockdown is harder to manage.
The mayor also instructed City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. to ensure that residents of areas placed under granular lockdown should be “supported.”
Due to the increase of new Covid-19 cases, Cebu City Police Office Director Colonel Eduard Ligan recommended reverting the curfew from 11 pm to 10 pm. Labella understood the police’s “predicament,” but it is also essential to balance everything with the “economic dimension.”
“Will seriously consider the suggestion of the police, but I have to talk first with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry chamber,” he said.
The Department of Health Covid-19 tracker reported Wednesday, Jan. 27, reported 97 new Covid-19 cases, bringing its total active cases to 1,051, the highest in Central Visayas.
Negros Oriental comes second with 741 active cases and an additional eight infections.
Middle of last year, Cebu City was declared by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año as the new Covid19 epicenter for topping the list of cities in the country with the most Covid19 infection. – Ryan Sorote