This Week in Cebu (December 6 to 12, 2020)

Cebu is under MGCQ for the whole month of December!

By: Shanice Reyes | December 06, 2020

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For the entire month of December, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and the Province of Cebu will be under the more relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), as stated by President Rodrigo Duterte in his weekly address last November 30 [1].

Though tourism establishments and shopping malls are now allowed to open, the local government units (LGUs) in Cebu are still deciding whether to allow minors inside malls. In addition to allowing public activities, church mass gatherings such as the Misa de Gallo might also be allowed this year.

Quarantine Updates

Cebu still deciding on whether minors can go out

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año stated last November 30 that minors are now allowed to enter shopping malls as long as they are accompanied by their parents. However, National Capital Region Police Officer Director Vicente Danao contradicted the directive to avoid the threat of COVID-19.

In Cebu, business players said that they will follow the decision of their respective local government units regarding the issue. Meanwhile in Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Junard Chan said that this decision DILG is “advantageous” as the city has been promoting its tourism industry to revive the economy [2]. On the other hand, Mandaue City will continue to prohibit the entry of minors in malls.

Misa de Gallo may be allowed in Cebu churches

As the holidays are approaching, health officials and local government units are deciding on whether to allow the holding of misa de gallo (dawn masses) or simbang gabi this year or not. In Cebu City, Mayor Edgardo Labella is yet to decide on the issue, and he plans to consult first with the church and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

If the celebration of Misa de Gallo will be allowed, at least 35 churches in Cebu City may need police augmentation to ensure minimum health standards are followed, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Clark Arriola [3].

Health News: Cebu City Health Department looks for more doctors

To cater to Cebu City’s almost one million residents, the Cebu City Health Department (CHD) is looking for more doctors and midwives who will be assigned in different fields, offices, and programs under the CHD. According to CHD Officer-in-Charge Jeffrey Ibones, they only have 32 doctors and 90 midwives, but the ideal number of health personnel for Cebu City should be 70 doctors and 200 midwives.

In support of Ibones’ statement, City Councilor Joel Garganera said that the CHD is in the forefront to prevent congestion in Cebu City’s hospitals whenever cases of COVID-19 arise. Moreover, around PhP200 million is being proposed for the pay of CHD personnel in the 2021 annual budget [4].


Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Cebu.


Sources:
[1] https://bit.ly/3mDNYvv
[2] https://bit.ly/2VxEjdJ
[3] https://bit.ly/39Hngy7
[4] https://bit.ly/33FkoxW

About Shanice Reyes

Shanice Reyes writes to buy herself good coffee and bike parts. When she's not writing, you can find her playing Ultimate Frisbee, traveling to new places, or hanging out with her dogs and tarantulas. Though she has an irrational fear of heights, she'd love to try sky-diving one day.

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Cebu quarantine MGCQ Quarantine Updates COVID 19 Lapu Lapu City Mandaue City Cebu churches Health News

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