This Week in Cebu (March 22 to 28, 2020)

The week starts off with the sun shining high over Cebu. But this will change as clouds start to hover over the city by the middle of the week. Wednesday will see considerable cloudy weather with some rain showers in the morning and evening. Cloud cover and rain will increase on Thursday, so an umbrella is a good thing to bring. A slight improvement is expected on Friday as the sun will peek out from behind the clouds. However, the gloomy weather will return on Saturday as spots of rain are expected in the evening.

Temperatures in Cebu for the week will range from 23 °C to 33 °C [1].

The province of Cebu shall be under enhanced community quarantine following Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s Executive Order 5-N. Under the enhanced community quarantine, international passengers shall not be allowed entry to the province, while outbound passengers may still exit and movement of cargoes shall still be allowed. The order will take effect on 12:01 AM on March 27, 2020. The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines will assist in implementing the EO [2]. During an emergency meeting on March 26, the province was also placed under a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, Cebu City is now under enhanced general community quarantine as well [3]. The enhanced quarantine will take effect on noon of March 28, 2020 and will lapse on noon of April 28, 2020. Under an enhanced general community quarantine, people are strictly required to stay at home, public transportation is suspended, provision for food and “essential health services” is regulated, and armed personnel are more visible to enforce measures.

Even as many barangay roads were cleared, Mandaue City Legal Enforcement Unit (MCLEU) Edwin Anthony Jumao-as said illegally-parked vehicles continue to be a big problem. He said car owners have continued parking on the sides of roads. Moreover, it will also take time to remove store encroachments on the roads. He clarified that barangays can still celebrate fiestas or hold wakes as long as they only use the sidewalk or one road lane for nine days. While the MCLEU is focusing on clearing barangay roads, they are also monitoring city and national roads [4].

AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines announced the cancellation of flights going to and coming out of Cebu. The cancellations came after the local government banned the entry of inbound passengers to the province. The airlines also notified affected passengers that they can refund or change their tickets. The ban affects flights to and from Cebu between March 15 and April 14 [5].

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella imposed a curfew between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM under Executive Order (EO) 052. The curfew is part of the general community quarantine of Cebu City from March 16 up to April 14 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Community centers, malls, and other commercial establishments should only be open until 8:00 PM. The only exemptions to this rule are pharmacies, medical centers, and healthcare establishments. Classes in all levels were also canceled under the EO and students will be given assignments and projects to fulfill their educational requirements [6].

According to a circular from the Archdiocese of Cebu released on March 25, 2020, traditional Lenten activities that gather crowds will be suspended [7]. The circular covered the Holy Week celebrations from April 5 to 11. The Chrism Mass, which was originally set on March 31, will be moved to a different date. Meanwhile, the Missa Sine Populo will only be celebrated by the priests with a limited number of ministers, and without the congregation. Devotional processions, the “Sugat” (reenactment of the resurrected Christ and Mother Mary), and the Easter Sunday mass are suspended.

The Cebu City government will start going after people selling overpriced face masks and alcohol online. City Attorney Rey Gealon said they are already tracing online sellers selling masks and alcohol priced higher than the suggested retail price (SRP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Earlier, DTI issued a price freeze on several products, including face masks and alcohol. Moreover, the city is working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to address the issue. The authorities already have the names of the violators, but cannot release the list since they have to verify their identities [8].

Go to Yoorekka to get more updates on Cebu.