The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has stood firm on its decision to compel Cebu to follow the national quarantine guidelines for returning overseas workers, the IATF chief implementer for the Visayas said on Wednesday.

The statement of retired general Melquiades Feliciano came after the appeal of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia for the national government to recognize her Executive Order (EO) No. 17 Series of 2021, where overseas Filipino returnees who test negative for Covid-19 may stay in their homes for the 14-day quarantine period.

“Sa ngayon wala pang desisyon, and it’s up to the national [IATF]. Of course in the coming days sigurado yung national [IATF] magbibigay ng response dun sa request or appeal ni Governor Garcia,” Feliciano said in the “Laging Handa” government briefing.

Garcia wants Cebuanos to follow EO 17 and non-Cebuanos to follow the national quarantine guidelines.

The IATF, led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles met Cebu officials on Tuesday. Ariel Jack Tejado II