AHEAD of the long weekend, April 1 to 4, several local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region have implemented stricter measures in a bid to curb another surge.
Pre-pandemic, many Filipinos tend to take the time off during the Holy Week to take that needed rest. Some would spend it at home and attend masses while some non-Catholics would go on vacation someplace else.
In anticipation of people going on vacation amid the pandemic, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order 19 series of 2021 on March 29 ordering the closure of beaches, beach resorts, and other inland water resorts in the city from April 1 to 4, 2021.
"There is a need to prevent mass gathering in beaches and inland water resorts during the long holiday weekend for Holy Week," the mayor said.
On March 27, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang issued Executive Order (EO) No. 7 series of 2021 imposing Covid-19 interim guidelines in the province in anticipation of the surge of tourists and travelers during the Holy Week.
Davao Oriental will strictly impose a “no QR code, no entry policy” across all border points of the province. The Provincial Government also said it will close all pilgrimage sites such as those found in Pintatagan Welcome Park, Dakong Krus in Governor Generoso, among others, for the duration of Holy Week from March 29 to April 4.
As Covid-19 cases surge in the country's capital, it is just about right for Davao City and Davao Oriental to impose stringent measures during a time when people are expected to go out more.
Hopefully, their policies will help prevent another surge in their respective areas.
Despite not being able to go out for a vacation this year during a long weekend, let us use this time to reflect on what has happened to us the past year. Count our blessings and be thankful for the little good things that we experienced.
For the believers, let us use this time to pray for our nation, our leaders, and our people.
"I enjoin you to please convey these important concerns to our people and to move them to pray fervently and unceasingly for the Lord to intervene, so that we will be spared from this rise of infection, and that there will be an end to this pandemic," Romulo G. Valles, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines President, said in a statement on March 28.
This Holy Week, let us limit our movements to essential activities only, avoid mass gathering, and spend time with our family. Let us take a break from social media or work and take a much needed rest.