LGUs in Davao Region impose stricter measures

AS CORONAVIRUS disease (Covid-19) cases in Davao Region continue to increase, several local government units (LGUs) have imposed stricter measures on the movement of people to slow the spread of the disease.

The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental recently imposed a new curfew hour beginning Monday, October 19, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said, through an executive order, that the new curfew hours was agreed upon by all local chief executives of all city and municipal governments in the province.

The province will also impose a liquor ban policy. This includes the prohibition of drinking in alleys, streets and other similar places.

Dayanghirang said these regulations are put in place to slow the increase of Covid-19 cases in the province, which continues to increase "despite active detection and relentless contact tracing."

Recently, the Provincial Government implemented a "no booking, no entry" policy to regulate the entry of tourists especially on weekends.

All walk-in guests will not be allowed to stay overnight in the province's tourist destinations. They must present a confirmed booking appointment in the accommodation establishment. All border control checkpoints will have a list of establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism establishments are also urged to utilize online or mobile modes of reservation and payment applications.

The City Government of Panabo, meanwhile, recently enacted an ordinance penalizing individuals who will be caught not wearing face masks in public places as high as P3,000 fine or will face up to 30 days of imprisonment.

Establishments and institutions, both public and private, are also mandated to impose a "No Face Mask, No Entry" policy.

The City Government passed the ordinance to curb the Covid-19 transmission in their locality, which can be reduced by wearing face masks in all public places.

Recently, the Panabo City Health Office said they are currently intensifying its contact tracing and testing as they reported a possible community transmission within the city.

The city had recorded its first case of Covid-19 death on October 17.

Meanwhile, Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas said, in an official statement dated October 15, that the city will continue to impose its regulations as the city has now recorded more than a hundred Covid-19 cases including five deaths due to "sustained community transmission."

Cagas said they already imposed localized lockdowns such as house, block, and street lockdowns.

The mayor also said 8 p.m. to 5 am. lockdowns and modified liquor bans are also retained, while "low key private parties such as weddings and baptismal ceremonies are allowed, but only limited to 25 guests."

Digos also continues to impose the use of quarantine passes in establishments to limit the movement of people.

Meanwhile, Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy issued an executive order on October 19 prohibiting mass gatherings in preparation for the Christmas season.

The local order prohibits all Christmas parties or any "Yuletide"-related gatherings.

Uy also encouraged employees and employers to "modestly celebrate" the holidays within their own homes, and instead donate their Christmas party funds to indigents and other poor families who were affected by the pandemic.

In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has already put in place a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew due to the continuing increase of the city's active cases.

Also, a strict liquor ban was also imposed and will cover the same hours as that of the curfew.

Duterte-Carpio recently said in a radio interview that the curfew, which will last until the end of the year, will only be lifted or adjusted when the city's active case, currently above 500 cases, will decrease.

Meanwhile, the majority of LGUs had already issued their respective EOs, adapting the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases which closes all public and private cemeteries and memorial parks to the public on October 29 until November 4. This measure aims to prevent mass gathering during these dates, in line with the traditional visit in cemeteries during All Saints' and All Souls' Day. The IATF order aims to prevent mass gatherings during these days.

Based on the October 19 data of the Department of Health, the total case in Davao Region has reached 4,065. Out of the total case, 782 are still recovering, while 3,140 already recovered, while 143 died.

Davao City remains to be the "hotspot" of the Covid-19 with 560 active cases. Total cases had now reached 2,678, while 1,999 had recovered, and 119 died.