IN PREPARATION for the Christmas season, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro adjusted the curfew by shortening it to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. effective Tuesday, December 1.

But Mayor Oscar Moreno emphasized that the relaxation is not meant to suggest that the public should put their guards down.

"Kinahanglan magdepensa pa gihapon ta thoroughly and forcefully. We're doing this to prepare ourselves sa pasko," Moreno said.

Previously, the curfew hours in Cagayan de Oro was 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Apart from the shortening of the curfew hours, Moreno has also adjusted the age restrictions, saying he already prepared an executive order to allow people over 15 years old and 65 years old and below to go out of their homes provided that they observe the minimum public health protocols.

"I will issue an order nga atong i-align ang atong guidelines sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force), atong over 15 but below 21 or over 60 but below 65 pwede na sila mogawas," Moreno said.

According to Moreno, they opted to delay the adjustments in quarantine restrictions to suppress the rising number of local Covid-19 cases in the city.

"Very encouraging ang results pero kinahanglan ato gyud nang i-sustain and I know it's not going to be easy pero ang importante lang is magtinabangay kitang tanan," he said.

"We know that we can do it so let's continue doing it, kanang minimum public health standards. Kahibalo ta nga we have a good handle sa virus pero kahibalo sad ta nga di mahimo magkompyansa," he added.