AFTER almost three months of being on lockdown, five areas in Cebu City can now go beyond their sitios after the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) of the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Central Visayas has concurred with the Cebu City Government to lift the lockdown in the areas.

The areas include Sitio Zapatera in Brgy. Luz, Sitio Gonzalo in Brgy. Tejero, Sitio Alaska in Brgy. Mambaling; Sitio Callejon in Brgy. Labangon; and Brgy. Bacayan.

“Resolved, as it hereby resolved, to concur the lifting of hard lockdown in Sitio Zapatera, Brgy. Luz; Sitio Gonzalo, Brgy. Tejero; Sitio Alaska, Brgy. Mambaling; Sitio Callejon, Brgy. Labangon; and Brgy. Bacayan, all in Cebu City,” the RIATF resolution No. 11 stated.

The RIATF sent the notice to the village chiefs of the involved barangays on July 13, 2020.

The City, through City Administrator Floro Casas Jr., also the City’s incident commander, requested for the lifting of lockdown of the areas.

The RIATF resolution, approved on July 11, was signed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Leocadio Trovela, who is also the RIATF chairman.

The five areas used to have the most number of Covid-19 cases in Cebu City, but recently, they were no longer included in the areas considered to have the most number of active cases.

Tejero Barangay Captain Hermogines Galang Jr. said that as of July 13, only 11 active cases of Covid-19 remain in his barangay.

Bacayan Barangay Captain Zenaida Colina said that as of July 12, there are four active cases left in her barangay; Labangon has 44 active cases as of July 9; while Luz has 32 active cases as of July 11.

Sitio Zapatera in Brgy. Luz was placed on lockdown on April 11; Brgy. Labangon on April 22; Sitio Alaska in Mambaling on May 6; Sitio Gonzalo in Brgy. Tejero on May 15; and Bacayan in April.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella reminded the residents in the said areas that despite the lifting of lockdown, enhanced community quarantine and health protocol are still in place. (JJL, PAC)