Editorial: Adjusting with the curfew

Editorial: Adjusting with the curfew

WHEN the Covid-19 pandemic reached Davao Region, a curfew was set as early as 6 p.m.

There was barely any complaints due to several factors. Among the factors is only essential workers were allowed to go out for work. Dine-in was also not allowed then. It can also be noted that many offices have shifted to work-from-home arrangements. Leisure and entertainment establishments were temporarily closed.

Basically, there was nothing for people to do outside of work or home during the enhanced community quarantine. Hence, not many complaints when it comes to curfew.

Then the curfew was moved to a later hour at 9 p.m. when the city was placed under the modified general community quarantine as more businesses resume operations and more are allowed to return to work at their offices.

However, the easing of restrictions has resulted in a spike in active Covid-19 cases in Davao City.

To curb the transmission of Covid-19, the city has reimposed the curfew and liquor ban. However, this time around, the curfew was not well received by residents of Davao City.

Among the arguments of the citizens include the difficulty to get a ride home. Businessmen, especially restaurant owners, have also raised concerns over how it will affect their income.

However, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio is firm with her decision.

"Dunay nagarequest sa atoa for consideration, but sa pagkakaron, in agreement ang tanan natong mga ginapangutan-an nga doctors nga 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Kinahanglan taas ang time nga pahunungon nato ang mga tao sa ilang extracurricular activities (We have been receiving various requests to reconsider the time of the curfew. But for now, all of our medical consultants said the curfew will be from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. We need to prevent people from doing extracurricular activities.)," Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

The mayor and health authorities have mentioned that people have been gathering in groups after work. Hence, the curfew.

The adjustment with the curfew this time around is different. A lot of factors have to be reconsidered by establishments and the people: travel time, when to do errands, and how they can more productive given the new time frame.

It can be observed that several food establishments have now scheduled their business hours with an earlier opening and closing time. Some have started to serve breakfast too to cater to those leaving for work early.

However, the mayor did hint that the curfew could be adjusted if things improve.

"What we are trying to do is to reduce it [number of cases] to two digits. Hopefully, mabuhat nato na. Kung mapababa lang gyud nato og medyo dako-dako, i-push nato balik ang atong active cases, we'll, of course, mag-adjust ang atong regulation or restriction sa movement sa tao (We are trying to reduce our active cases to two digits. If we can do that or drastically decrease the number of cases, maybe we can make adjustments with the regulations on the movement of people)," Duterte-Carpio said.

Adjusting to the curfew is something that we have to do for now. It is easier said than done but for now, we have no choice but to follow it and do our part in reducing the number of active cases in the city.

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