AROUND 740 quarantine violators were apprehended by the Cebu City Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team since the start of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Cebu City from August 1 to 8, 2021.
Based on the Probe data, around 90 percent of quarantine violators were male and of legal age.
For not wearing face masks and violating curfew, 81 violators were apprehended on August 8; 130 on August 7; 100 on August 6; 134 on August 5; 93 on August 4; 71 on August 3; 110 on August 2; and 21 on August 1.
Raquel Arce, Probe team chief, told SunStar Cebu violators were made to pay a P500 administrative fine, however, under the existing city ordinance, a P1,500 fine will be given for first offense violation, P3,000 for second offense, and P5,000 for third offense or they must render community service of at least eight hours.
Arce said she prefers the city to be under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status than MECQ to control quarantine violators, which could help in the decrease of Covid-19 cases of Cebu City.
She said she believes that government should prioritize 90 percent for health and 10 percent for the economy since Covid-19 cases continue to increase.
Arce said when the city was under ECQ in 2020, in which movements and transportations were strictly prohibited, cases were also controlled and managed.
"Mas sayon unta siguro kon gidiretso pa ni nga 15 days, hinay-hinay na sad siguro tang naka-recover ani kay mo-die down siguro ni ang virus," Arce said.
Probe advised the public to follow minimum health protocols and MECQ guidelines to avoid violations and the spread of the virus. (MVE)