ANGELES City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has ordered the city to be placed under curfew anew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
The order came after the city experienced a surge in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases for the past two weeks, with daily cases reaching double digits.
There was also the first recorded case of the South African variant, which according to experts may be more infectious than the original version of the virus.
“Bunsod ng biglaang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga Covid-19 cases sa siyudad, ipinag-utos natin ang pagbalik ng curfew mula 11 p.m. hanggang 5 a.m. Isa ito sa nakikita nating paraan upang maiwasan ang tuluyan pang pagkalat ng virus,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin released Resolution 02, Series of 2021, upon the recommendation of the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) headed by Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center head Dr. Froilan Canlas and City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra on Monday, March 15, 2021.
Also present during the emergency meeting were Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Executive Assistant V Raffy Angeles, Angeles City Police Office Safety Director Rommel Sta. Ana Batangan, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) head Rudy Simeon, Business Permit Licensing Division (BPLD) head Evangeline Malonzo, and Barangay Affairs and Public Assistance Center head Dan Nacu.
Under the resolution, Lazatin also ordered the temporary closure of gyms, fitness studios, and sports facilities for a period of two weeks.
“Base sa recomendasyon nila Dr. Canlas at Dr. Gueverra, ipapasara muna natin ang mga gyms sa siyudad. Isa ito sa mga nakikitang lugar na possibleng kumalat ang Covid-19 virus, dahil sa pagiging ‘enclosed space’ nito kung saan nagpapawis at nasgsasama-sama ang iba’t ibang klase ng tao," he said.
The said establishments will only be allowed to resume their operations upon the issuance of a written consent from the BPLD and subject to the assessment of the CHO of the Covid-19 situation in the city.
Lazatin also reiterated to parents that children and minors aged 15 years old and below "are strictly prohibited from leaving their residence."
Food establishments, especially those allowing dine-in clients, are required to strictly implement the 50 percent percent maximum occupancy of diners.
Meanwhile, places of worship are still allowed 30 percent maximum number of allowed people inside the venue, with administrators monitoring attendees who did not get inside the venue to still observe social distancing protocols.
The local chief executive also urged barangay officials and local police to reinforce the city’s safety and health protocols.
“Nanawagan po ako sa mga opisyales ng 33 barangays, pati na rin sa ating mga kapulisan na gampanan ang sinumpaang tungkulin sa ating mga kababayan,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin also stressed that parties and social gatherings will be prohibited in all barangays, and that violators will be punished.
“Palalakasin po natin ang Oplan Sita, kaya sumunod po tayo sa mga safety at health protocols ng siyudad. Bawal po ang inuman at mga parties. Magsuot po lagi ng face mask at face shield tuwing lalabas ng bahay. Huwag po natin itong gawing biro dahil sinumang mahuli ay bibigyan ng karampatang parusa,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lazatin also issued Memorandum 362, Series of 2021, addressed to all City Government employees, to reiterate measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Currently, all City Government offices are still implementing the skeleton workforce -- where only 50 percent of the total number of personnel per office is allowed to report for duty at the same time.
Lazatin also reminded all City Government employees to lead by example in enforcing the city’s safety and health protocols by wearing face masks, face shields, and observing social distancing in and out of their offices. (PR)