Fine on quarantine violators doubles

HOLDING AREA. More beds are being prepared for apprehended quarantine violators at the sports gym, which will serve as holding area in Brgy. Tejero, Cebu City. / ALEX BADAYOS
HOLDING AREA. More beds are being prepared for apprehended quarantine violators at the sports gym, which will serve as holding area in Brgy. Tejero, Cebu City. / ALEX BADAYOS

THE Cebu City Council on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, doubled the fine imposed on community quarantine violators to P1,000 from the current P500.

City Ordinance 2566, which penalizes any violation in relation to the implementation of general/enhanced community quarantine in Cebu City during a public health crisis, was amended to reflect this new amount of compromise fee.

A violator who cannot afford to pay P1,000 may opt to render community service for up to eight hours.

Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, one of the authors of the ordinance, said the increase was based on the recommendation of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Garcia said he and other councilors consulted the police after noticing that many Cebu City residents still do not comply with the basic health safety protocols such as wearing of masks and maintaining physical distancing.

City Ordinance 2566 prohibits non-wearing of masks and mass gatherings. It also mandates residents to present a quarantine pass whenever they step out of their homes.

The Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) earlier reported an uptrend in the number of new coronavirus infections.

Councilor Joel Garganera, EOC deputy chief implementer, said the infections could go up further in December if Christmas gatherings are held.

“Now, what is alarming is the fact that we are approaching the holiday season,” said Garganera.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has discouraged the holding of parties and other gatherings like team building during the holidays to prevent transmission of the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

At the City Hall, Labella said such events are already prohibited.

Data from the Department of Heath (DOH) Central Visayas show a total of 10,625 infections as of Thursday, Nov. 26, including 685 deaths, 9,622 recoveries and 318 active cases.

Cebu City is under modified general community quarantine until Nov. 30, 2020. / JJL

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