Cebu City to transition to MECQ on June 1

Cebu City authorities are set to place the city under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on June 1.

“Andam na ang dakbayan sa Sugbo ning transition. Gipagawas na ang guidelines sa mayor, sa kato pang pag-extend sa ECQ (Cebu City is ready for this transition. The guidelines for this were already released even before our ECQ was extended),” said Cebu City spokesman Atty. Rey Gealon on the city Public Information Office Facebook page. 

The city was placed under ECQ on March 28. Rising numbers of Covid-19 cases spurred authorities to extend the ECQ until the end of May.

Gealon said most businesses on June 1 can resume operations with 50 percent manpower. The rest of the 50 percent should be allowed to work from home if possible. Category Four establishments, such as the massage and beauty parlors and others that involve physical contact, will remain closed. 

He said Covid-19 testing for returning workers is not mandatory under MECQ, but is encouraged. 

Gealon reiterated that social distancing, wearing of fask masks and other health protocols should be observed under MECQ.

He also said employers are required to submit the names, contact numbers and addresses of returning employees for monitoring.

“Put the address so we can check, so we can see if naay mopositive diha. Mag testing gihapon ang CCHD sa mga workers, para masigurado mo-comply (...if there are positive patients. There will still be testing by the City Health Department for workers, to make sure that they comply with the policy),” Gealon explained. 

Gealon said authorities will inspect workplaces after one week to see if they complied with the standards mandated by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Health. Other recommended health protocols in workplaces include arranging chairs and tables in distanced intervals and using plastic partitions.

Gealon said no public transport will operate during the MECQ. The Land Transportation and Regulatory Board however has promised to provide 200 buses to serve the public.