Cebu Province not yet ready for GCQ

Consolacion mayor Joannes Pepito Alegado said Cebu province will remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) after May 15.

Alegado made the statement on his Facebook account after a meeting with other mayors, Provincial Board members and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia in Balamban town on Friday. 

“GCQ (general community quarantine) protocols in the Province of Cebu will still have to be refined. The finalized GCQ Protocols will still have to be properly disseminated to the public before its implementation. The GCQ will not start tomorrow,” said Alegado. 

The mayor said some businesses will be allowed to operate again while under quarantine. He emphasized that transitioning to GCQ does not mean going back to normal. 

“Community Quarantine gihapon ta. Aduna nay mga makabalik trabaho ug abli sa negosyo subay sa gitugotan sa IATF, apan adunay mga protocols nga dapat gayud sundon. Amping gihapon ta. Bantay gihapon ta (We will adapt the community quarantine policy. There will be those who will be allowed to work and reopen their businesses based on the guidelines set by the IATF, but there will be protocols that must be followed. Let’s stay safe and always be on guard),” he said. 

Alegado also said workers in the cities of Cebu, Lapulapu and Mandaue must undergo rapid testing in their respective companies every 14 days. 

The three cities jointly extended their ECQ following the rise of COVID-19 in their areas of responsibility.