The Cebu provincial government has placed 11 local government units (LGUs) under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) with heightened restrictions to halt the further increase of COVID-19 cases in those particular areas.
The municipalities of Samboan, Sibonga, Argao, Cordova, Oslob, Liloan, Consolacion, and Minglanilla, and the component cities of Talisay, Car-Car, and Naga are under MECQ with heightened restrictions starting Wednesday (Aug. 11).
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia said they have analyzed data where the areas’ active cases “came up with an incidents per 10,000 ratio.”
“We did a data analysis sa inyong mga active cases and came up with an incidents per 10,000 na ratio. Naging heightened restrictions lang ito because we went beyond by insisting on purely open air public transport and the use of air purifiers with HEPA filters,” she said.
Checkpoints and border control points will also be strictly implemented in various ports, especially on passengers coming from Negros Oriental, where the number of cases is rising. A negative RT-PCR test result or negative rapid antigen result must be presented upon entry.
Furthermore, the curfew hours in the said areas will be extended from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, Garcia assured the mayors of the 11 LGUs that employees affected by the MECQ will be given financial aid or “ayuda.”
Report from John Aroa/NGS- jlo