Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte. (PNA file photo)
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has called on Dabawenyos to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a directive Monday, Mayor Sara said the national government's Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine issued by IATF-EID will now be used as basis whenever the city government adopts the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or general community quarantine (GCQ).
“For questions about what would happen to us after the ECQ or should we opt to be placed under GCQ, please read the Omnibus Guidelines and get a copy at the Official Gazette website for your guidance,” Duterte said.
This city is currently on an extended ECQ following the spike in Covid-19 cases, as well as based on the order of the IATF-EID.
Meanwhile, she also warned Dabawenyos against expecting a different situation under GCQ, noting that "measures limiting movements are possible".
“If Davao City undergoes GCQ, people must remember that there are still limitations when it comes to movements. If you read the guidelines, it’s still limited. People may be preparing for their parties when we go back to GCQ,” she pointed out.
Section 3, No. 2 of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines states that under the GCQ, "movement of all persons shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate. Movement for leisure purposes is not allowed.”
Mayor Sara said that if the city is placed under GCQ, some establishments will be allowed to open and public utility vehicles will be allowed to operate on a limited basis.
Under the national IATG guidelines, areas with GCQ may allow the operation of some business sectors with a skeletal workforce, such as laundry shops, private establishments involved in the provision of essential goods and services, and activities in the value chain related to food and medicine production.
It would also allow the operation of other goods such as clothing, accessories, hardware, housewares, school, and office supplies but on delivery basis.
Under the guidelines, she noted that no hotels are allowed to operate, except those accommodating guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of May 1, 2020; guests who have existing long-term bookings; distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and stranded Filipino or foreign nationals;
Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved protocols; non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine; and healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments.
She added that the guidelines also mandate that residential and commercial rents falling due within the duration of the ECQ and GCQ are given a grace period of 30 days from the last due date, or until such time that the community quarantine is lifted. (PNA)
