ECQ on Cebu City Extended Until July 15

Cebu City’s Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status will be extended until July 15, 2020, after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the extension on Tuesday.

Secretary Cimatu’s Assessment

It was last week when President Duterte sent Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to Cebu City to assess the rising of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City. Since Cimatu’s arrival in the city, more military, police, medical personnel, and doctors have been deployed to help in the efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

As of June 30, Cebu City has tallied 5,494 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 2,723 recoveries, and 169 deaths.

According to Cimatu, lockdowns will be implemented on barangays with a high number of cases in the city.

These barangays are Basak San Nicolas, Capitol Site, Guadalupe, Kamputhaw, Labangon, Lahug, Mabolo, Pardo, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Tinago, and Tisa.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, Consolacion, and Minglanilla will be placed on General Community Quarantine (GCQ). The rest of Cebu Province will be placed on Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

“Ito yung ano ha, ECQ, Enhanced Community Quarantine. Ito ‘yung pinakamataas kasi marami ang taong may infection… Ang enhanced community quarantine, Cebu City. Kayo lang (ECQ or Enhanced Community Quarantine is the highest form of community quarantine for areas with high number of infections… Only Cebu City will be under the Enhanced Community Quarantine),” said Duterte.

Cebu City, a COVID-19 Hotspot

President Duterte was also dismayed that Cebu City became the hotspot of COVID-19 and told the residents of the city to “shape-up” to enable the government to ease the increasing number COVID-19 cases in the city.

“Cebu [City] is now the hotspot for Covid. Bakit? Eh walang sumusunod eh. Marami sa inyo, hindi sumunod (Why? Because no one is following. Many of them are not following),” he said. “Look, I am here to run government. I am not here to stay forever. As a matter of fact, I am on my last two years. But you better shape up,” added Duterte.

He also pointed out the stubbornness of Cebuanos by not following ECQ rules and even held a Sinulog dance in their barangays for their fiesta and mass gatherings in the city. (ASC)