Nalzaro: It should be a sweeping travel ban

THIS is worse than a coup d’etat or a terrorist attack. When rebel soldiers staged a series of coups during the Cory Aquino administration, there was never a “lockdown.” When a group launched terrorist activities in Metro Manila through a series of bombings, there was no cancellation of sea, air and land transportation. People were still allowed to roam around the country. Mass gatherings were still allowed. Malls remained open and entertainments centers continued to function. But with this health problem of the dreaded coronavirus disease (Covid-19) that continues to spread around the world, several countries imposed a lockdown, depriving their own citizens of “freedom to abode” or travel. Our governments are doing this as well to our “kababayans,” especially from regions infected with the virus. Please stop debating whether this is just a “community quarantine” or a lockdown because experts say this is a lockdown.

As far as “lockdown” is concerned, only the United Kingdon (UK) has not imposed such a policy. First to impose it was China, the epicenter of this disease. It was followed by Italy, one of the worst-hit countries outside China, across Europe and even the US.

In contrast to the US, where there have been widespread cancellation of events from Broadway performances to the National Basketball Association to closed schools, President Donald Trump imposed a sweeping international travel ban and declared a national emergency, the UK government did not impose similar measures. Life goes on. It only postponed the more than 300 local elections for 12 months. But other than that, business as usual, so to speak.

UK’s tactics, which are backed by its top team of epidemiologists and behavioral psychologists, have left many of its citizens asking: Why do our experts disagree with most other countries? A national lockdown may not be the right policy to beat Covid-19, UK’s medical experts claim. A major shift in its government strategy, moving from “contain” to “delay” phase of its plan. That effectivity concedes that the virus is here, that it will spread rapidly and widely through society and the focus should be on slowing it down.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson supported this approach. He did not impose any travel ban to and from the UK. The most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often. Make sure you cough or sneeze into tissue and put it in a bin and wash your hands. Meaning, it is still the basic way of protection.

I am not against the travel ban imposed by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia of people from Covid 19-infected regions. In fact, I was the first to bring this idea up in my column last week before the National Government announced that it would impose travel restrictions to and from the National Capital Region (NCR). But I find it very futile if other local government units will not cooperate or impose a similar ban.

In her executive order, Garcia ordered the shutting out of travelers from the airports of Clark, Cagayan de Oro, Legaspi and Dumaguete. She also banned passengers from nearby Negros Oriental where there is a case of Covid-19. Vessels from Negros Oriental are prohibited from docking in Santander, Samboan, Dumanjug, Tabuelan and Toledo City. But does Garcia have jurisdiction over Cebu City? There are vessels from Cagayan, Dipolog and Dumaguete that dock in Cebu City. Can she ban these vessels without coordinating with Mayor Edgardo Labella? I am talking here of political jurisdiction. It should be a sweeping travel restriction.

Also, is it within her powers to ban flights from airports mentioned above without the concurrence of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA)? The governor is only a member of the MCIAA. It’s chaired by the Department of Transportation secretary. Not even Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan can impose a travel ban even if the airport is within his jurisdiction.

Did Garcia exceed her powers? She should closely coordinate with other local chief executives, especially in highly urbanized and independent cities so that her policies will be properly implemented without hassle and jurisdictional implications. Besides, this is useless if other cities with airports will not cooperate. What if an air traveler from the NCR who is willing to spend flies from Clark to Bacolod or Iloilo then to Cebu? Can we refuse them entry or send them back to their port of origin? Just asking?

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