Cebu City imposes 8 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew over COVID-19 threat

Cebu City would impose a curfew and undergo a community quarantine from March 16 to April 14, 2020 to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Under Mayor Edgardo Labella's Executive Order No. 52, which he signed on Sunday, a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. would be enforced.

Malls, recreational establishments, community centers, and other commercial areas would only be allowed to remain open until 8:00 p.m.

Medical centers, pharmacies, and healthcare establishments were exempted from this rule.

“No one should be in the malls, community centers, commercial areas, and other public areas if they do not have any important transactions, business or otherwise,” Labella said.

All mass gatherings such as concerts and fiestas are likewise canceled or postponed.

Meanwhile, under Cebu City's “state of general community quarantine,” residents would only be allowed to leave their homes to go to work, buy food, medicines, or other necessary supplies, and to go to medical centers.

Classes in all levels, both public and private, are also suspended until April 14.

“All educational institutions are to implement distance learning and provide home assignments and projects to all students to continue the fulfillment of their educational requirements,” Labella said.

Government work would not be disrupted but agencies were urged to adopt alternative work arrangements.

The private sector was also encouraged to adopt flexible working arrangements.

Seaports within the jurisdiction of Cebu City would also be closed to passenger arrivals but not to cargo deliveries of essential goods.

Public transportation within the city will still be allowed but passengers must be one seat apart from one another and the occupancy should not exceed half the capacity of the vehicle, including the driver.

Health checkpoints will be installed in all entry points to Cebu City, while barangay workers must conduct house to house monitoring of individuals especially pregnant women, sick individuals, senior citizens, and children under 10 years old. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News