Cebu City reverts to ECQ, Cebu province except Talisay remains under GCQ

Cebu City reverted to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) today, June 16, following a spike in Covid-19 cases two weeks after it was placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

“Due to the increasing number of new cases and widespread community transmission in majority of the barangays in the city as well as the consistent case doubling time of less than seven days and the significant increase in critical care utilization against critical care capacity, Cebu City shall be escalated back to ECQ,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in a live presscon late Monday.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) also extended the GCQ status of Cebu province which now has over 4,000 COVID-19 cases. 

Meanwhile, Talisay City with 66 active cases and 16 deaths is now under MECQ.

“It has been declared by the IATF that we be put under MECQ. So unfortunately, we are taking a step back,” said Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas in a post on his official Facebook page. 

“Just right now I just finished talking to Sec. (Carlito) Galvez of the IATF and he told me that Epidemiologists from DOH-7 gave the IATF data that showed we need to be under MECQ. Of course I was surprised, but I will never be someone who will question the decision,” the Talisay mayor added.

Gullas said Galvez gave him the option to appeal his city’s quarantine status. He said he will still consult with the governor and some leaders before deciding on it.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Traffic Office reminds the public to observe ECQ guidelines. Under the rules, quarantine passes will be required when going out, public transport will be suspended, and border controls will be implemented again. 

The city has also suspended until further notice the distribution of financial aid to senior citizens as the elderly are among those prohibited from going out throughout the duration of the ECQ.