CHECK UPON ENTRY. A health worker checks the body temperature of a motorist entering Tacloban City. The city government, starting on Wednesday (March 18, 2020), imposed penalties on establishments and persons who are non-compliant with measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (Photo courtesy of Tacloban city government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government here will impose penalties on establishments and persons who fail to comply with measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Wednesday warned the public that the city government would seriously implement Executive Order 2020-03-16 outlining some measures to contain any possible transmission of the virus in the city.
The directive said non-cooperation of persons and entities who should report or respond to suspected and confirmed cases would face imprisonment of one to six months or a fine of PHP20,000 to PHP50,000, as stipulated under Republic Act 11332.
If a private or public health facility, institution, corporation, or other juridical entity committed the offense, its chief, manager, or officer in charge would be held liable and its business permit and license to operate would be canceled.
“I am not omnipresent. I don’t see what is going on in all sectors out there. So, if you see anything wrong, please tell us. We also take suggestions. We can work together and give the best to the people,” Romualdez said in a statement.
Among the strict appropriate responses implemented by the city are the mandatory registration and reporting of possible carriers of Covid-19, regulation of activities and business operations, no dine-in policy in restaurants, liquor ban, and travel restrictions.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the city has 15 patients under investigation (PUIs) for Covid-19, while 1,379 persons under monitoring (PUMs) have been advised to strictly follow quarantine protocols.
“All these measures are temporary, and we do them if needed. We ask for the support and cooperation of everyone. We can combat this if we unite and help each other,” Romualdez said. (PNA)
