GCQ LOOMS. A policeman inspects a resort in Zamboanga City to ensure compliance with the order of the local Inter-Agency Task Force coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to temporarily stop operation amid the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases in this undated photo. The temporary closure of resorts has been extended until April 30. (Photo courtesy of City Hall Public Information Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has requested, through a resolution for the national government to place this city under general community quarantine (GCQ) to stop the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Monday that the proposed imposition of GCQ is from April 15 to 30 based on the resolution approved by the local IATF in a meeting on April 10.
This city is currently under modified GCQ, the most relaxed quarantine classification in the country.
The local IATF adopted the resolution as the active Covid-19 cases leaped to 321 from the previous 283, with an additional 38 new cases recorded as of April 9, based on the data of the Zamboanga City Covid-19 tracker.
The tracker data showed that the confirmed Covid-19 cases in this city now total 4,611 with 4,093 recoveries and 197 deaths.
The recovery rate decreased to 88.87 percent from the previous 94 percent.
This city was first placed under GCQ from May 16 to June 30, 2020, and for the second time from July 16 to August 15, 2020.
Salazar said the city government will implement granular lockdowns in areas where Covid-19 cases are high to prevent further transmission pending approval by the national IATF on the request of the local task force.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, said that the increase in cases can only be stopped by religious compliance of all safety and health protocols and stricter enforcement of Covid-19 related laws and border controls.
On the other hand, the local IATF has decided to extend the temporary closure of all beaches, beach resorts, inland water resorts, establishments with pools, and other similar establishments to April 30 due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. (PNA)
