Lifting of Cebu ECQ Not Yet in Sight

Despite successive days of negative test results on specimens from Cebu Province, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia pointed out that it is still premature to decide on lifting the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“It’s very early to lift the ECQ. We’re just one week into it. I cannot even be cautiously optimistic about the results. I am a bit hopeful but still it is so much better to be stricter in the implementation of our guidelines,” she said.

She added that no specific date on the end of ECQ was indicated in the Executive Order 5-O she issued so as to avoid giving false hopes to the Cebuanos.

“A lot also depend on how the Manila situation would develop. We are all connected. We really hope and pray that the Luzon situation will soon improve and flatten the curve because unless that is achieved, we cannot hope to even estimate a date when our own ECQ would be lifted,” Garcia said.

A premature lifting of ECQ can also trigger a second wave of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which the governor considers to be the worst because “all the sacrifices and economic losses incurred would fall into nothing.”

In order to do the lifting, Garcia explained that authorities must be “more than 100 percent sure to have flattened the curve and a strict protocol on the new normal must be made.”

“What do I mean? That even if we have lifted the ECQ, things will never be the same for us. We will adjust to a new protocol on socializing, on gatherings, on ceremonies and other activities that used to define us as a community,” she stressed.

Grateful for outpouring help

The governor expressed gratitude as more assistance poured in even without the Capitol calling out for it.

“Allow me to acknowledge sa nagpadayong generosity sa atong mga donor. Mao gyud na’y makapatandog sa akong balatian nga kanang wala ta mangayo, wala gani nato sila awhaga but on their own nagpadala sila og tabang,” she said.

Cesar Dy Tan of Celine Food House and Waterfront Hotel Cebu donated packed meals while Goldilocks donated pastries.

Gochu Marketing also gave ten boxes of organic disinfectant and another ten boxes of mineral water while Angel’s Sportswear donated 108 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) suits.

John Go of Fast Group of Companies also donated 1,000 flu vaccines with another 4,000 coming.

Negative test results

In a press conference on April 6, Garcia reported that 54 specimens from Cebu tested negative – 21 from Cebu Province, seven from Mandaue City, 18 from Cebu City, and eight from Lapu-Lapu City.

“Salamat sa Diyos. Mao kana atong update gikan sa Department of Health Region 7, gives us much hope to hear of persons tested negative and people recovering. But let us not be complacent,” she said.

Recorded persons under monitoring (PUMs) in the province already reached 43,919 as reports from more local government units came in. Around 7,000 have already completed their 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

“Ako ning giapil sa briefing kay aron mahibawo mo unsa kabug-at ang gisagubang sa atong mga mayores karon. Ang monitoring niini nga buntag ug hapon ug pinakaon pa sa atong LGU,” Garcia pointed out.

“Apan tungod kay alang kanila mas mahinungdanon ang seguridad sa ilang constituents nga ipatigbabaw, ila kini karon nga giisip nga responsibilidad. So I would like to commend the mayors,” she said. (SN)