The Zamboanga City Hall. (PNA file photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY--The local government is considering to impose stricter measures to curb the continuous surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in this southern port city.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, the chairperson of the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Covid-19, said Monday that part of the new measures is the reimposition of Sunday lockdown and expansion of curfew hours either from 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Salazar said the local IATF is expected to come up with a final decision this week.
As requested by some sectors, Salazar said the local IATF also plans to suspend social and public gatherings until the end of December, this year, and impose a moratorium for inbound locally-stranded individuals (LSIs).
This city serves as the entry point to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and other regions.
According to Salazar, health authorities have confirmed that social gatherings are the main cause of the spike in cases as evidenced by sustained community transmission.
Department of Health-9 (DOH-9) data showed that this city has 2,384 Covid-19 cases as of October 17, with 104 deaths. Of the total cases, 870 are active, with 1,408 total recoveries.
In a meeting with DOH Assistant Secretary Romeo Ong recently, Salazar said key members of the task force emphasized the urgent need for people to strictly comply with quarantine guidelines and health protocols, such as wearing of masks and face shields, washing hands frequently, observing physical distancing, as well as avoiding crowded places, close-contact settings, and confined and enclosed spaces.
Meanwhile, the mayor has also directed the security sector to tighten efforts in ensuring public compliance with quarantine guidelines and protocols as well as to conduct a renewed crackdown against drag racers.
Salazar is concerned that if people continue to disregard health protocols, a record surge of Covid-19 infections may lead to even tighter quarantine measures. (PNA)
