VISITORS BANNED. The Metropolitan Cathedral in Palo, Leyte. The town known as a center of Roman Catholic faith in Eastern Visayas is closing its doors to visitors for three days as the local government canceled all activities related to its annual fiesta to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo from FB page of Palo Cathedral)
TACLOBAN CITY – The town known as a center of Roman Catholic faith in Eastern Visayas is closing its doors to visitors for three days as the local government canceled all activities related to its annual fiesta to help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a directive issued on Wednesday, Mayor Ann Petilla said non-residents of Palo town and those living outside the town center are not allowed to visit the houses of their family, relatives, and friends in the town center from August 5 to 7.
“Families and residents within the town proper are allowed to privately celebrate the town fiesta in their respective residences,” Petilla said in an executive order.
The mayor directed policemen to guard all roads leading to the town center, denying entry of all non-residents for three days. Liquor ban has also been imposed.
“In view of the annual town fiesta of the municipality, it will be prohibited to hold any form of socio-civic and cultural activities, pageant, disco, show, and competitions that tend to attract a large number of crowd and attendees,” the mayor added.
The town celebrates its annual fiesta every August 6 in honor of Jesus Christ fondly referred to by town residents as San Salvador as named by the Jesuits, the town’s founders.
Palo is some 10 kilometers away from this city. (PNA)
