ILOILO City – There will be no more border restrictions in this city beginning tomorrow.
Also, people will not be required to present quarantine passes when they go out of their houses.
However, all people will still be required to wear facemask in public and observe social distancing because the threat of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), remains, stressed Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Today, Treñas is expected to issue an executive order detailing the dos and don’ts when this city begins observing a general community quarantine (GCQ) this Saturday. In a press conference yesterday, however, he already disclosed some of these.
“Waay na sang checkpoints. Checkpoints are part of the border restrictions,” said Treñas.
People from other parts of Western Visayas may freely enter Iloilo City beginning May 16. This is because the rest of the region has the same quarantine – GCQ – status as the city, he pointed out.
Can people from COVID-19 high-risk areas such as Metro Manila and Cebu City enter Iloilo City?
Yes, if they are Ilonggos (such as returning overseas workers), according to Treñas.
But they have to follow protocols such as having undergone 14 days of quarantine and having been tested and certified as negative for COVID-19 from their places of origin.
Non-Ilonggos from high-risk areas would be denied entry unless they are essential personnel.
The curfew would be maintained in the next two weeks but would be shortened – it would be from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. or two hours shorter from the current 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The suspension of classes would continue until schools reopen in August, said Treñas, as determined already by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
But just to prepare for the new normal in the education sector (online classes), Treñas said he would be coordinating with internet service providers to ensure the reliability of internet connections.
At city hall, 50 percent of the city government workforce would be returning to work, said Treñas.
The number of the transacting public entering city hall would be regulated. Tents would be set up at Plaza Libertad across city hall where people could stay while waiting for their turn to get in.
Worship services by religious congregations would be allowed. However, according to Treñas, only 50 percent of the worship area’s capacity should be filled with worshipers so as to ensure social distancing.
Also, people attending worship services must wear facemasks.
The liquor ban would be lifted. However, in the first two weeks there would be a cap on the volume of liquor that an individual could purchase.
Treñas also reiterated an earlier announcement that jeepneys and taxis would be allowed to resume their operation. However, only 25 percent of the total number of old model / traditional jeepneys (per jeepney route) would be allowed while for taxis all units would be allowed.
Also, each jeepney unit would only be allowed to load up to 50 percent of its total passenger capacity so that social distancing could be observed.
For automobile taxis, it is going to be a maximum of three passengers – one in the front seat and two in the back seats.
As to the jeepney fare, it would be P9 for the first four kilometers and an additional P1.50 for every succeeding kilometer.
The modern jeepneys, on the other hand, would all be allowed to operate. The minimum fare is P11 plus P1.80 for every succeeding kilometer.
For taxis, the fare should still be based on the meter reading.
Treñas said businesses in this city will gradually resume their operation beginning May 16.
“There is no other way to sustain our being the region’s center of commerce and industry than by reopening businesses. Doing so would stimulate our economy. The resumption of business operations would give employment to our people,” he explained.
But bars, cockpits, cinemas, and spas would remain closed because social distancing would be difficult to observe in them.
Barbershops and beauty salons would be allowed to operate but their personnel must wear facemasks, face shields and gloves.
Treñas assured residents that the city government would take drastic measures such as imposing a lockdown when COVID-19 cases spike in certain areas like what was done to Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo district recently (72-hour lockdown for disinfection, contact tracing and mass testing).
“We really have to re-start our economy. Pila ka months nga waay kita obra, ti apektado gid ang tanan,” he said./PN
