By Jenny Ortuoste
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla today (Monday, April 12) announced on his official Facebook page (facebook.com/JonvicRemullaJr) the curfew hours for the province, and explained in broad strokes what the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) guidelines entail.
He said that curfew hours in Cavite have been “reset” to 10:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Remulla also gave reminders about MECQ guidelines:
- “Factories are allowed at 50% capacity.
- “Mall hours are open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while supermarkets and groceries remain on regular operating schedule to accommodate those buying essential goods.
- “Mall operations are the same as ECQ: Only ESSENTIAL establishments are allowed.
- “Exercise is now allowed within the general vicinity. Bawal pa rin ang [Still not allowed are] basketball at [and] group activities. Puede ang [Allowed are] walking, jogging at [and] biking within your area, but keep social distancing [and] the usual health protocols.
- “Per DoTr [Department of Transportation] there will be no changes in capacity [and] operations during MECQ, but only APOR [authorized persons outside of residence] will be allowed use of public transport.
- “Continue to stay at home: Bawal pa din lumabas ang [Not allowed out of their homes are those] below 18 and above 65 as well as those with health risks, except when obtaining essential goods [and] services.
- “Restaurants are restricted to take-out [and] delivery only. Strictly no dine-in.
- “APOR rules remain.
- “Expect the continuation of heavy traffic in some areas due to checkpoints. Kung puede lang, huwag na po lumabas kung hindi naman kailangan. Magbigay daan tayo para sa mga essential & emergency movements. [If possible, do not leave your homes if not necessary. Let us give way to essential and emergency movements].
- “Golf courses remain closed.”
Remulla also made several quips to drive home the following instructions:
- House moving is allowed.
- Group drinking sessions and loud karaoke sessions are not allowed.
- Back-riding (angkas) on motorcycles is allowed as long as the riders are related to each other.
Remulla also said government offices in the province should remain open with a minimum number of personnel, but warned that the COVID-19 surge has affected operations.
“Ang mga government offices ay may skeletal force in place at dapat bukas. Kaso maraming kasalukuyan ay sarado dahil nagka-outbreak ng COVID. Katulad sa Registry of Deeds sa Trece, 19 out of 23 employees are COVID-positive,” he said.
[Government offices have skeletal forces and should remain open. But many are closed at present, because of the COVID outbreak. For instance, (at the) the Registry of Deeds in Trece (Martires City), 19 out of 23 employees are COVID-positive.]
He said most transmissions come from work spaces and affect those who are in the younger age brackets. These risk bringing infection home to their families.
“Karamihan sa transmission ngayon ay galing sa pinagta-trabahuhan [Most transmissions now come from work]. Majority of new infections are those 20-39 years old. Worse, when they come home, hawa na ang mga kasama sa bahay [their companions at home become infected]. Often, it’s the senior citizen parents who end up losing their lives.”
Remulla added: “Please do not be complacent: Continue to follow all World Health Organization (WHO) protocols to avoid infection in workplaces…Save yourselves and help save others.”
