With daily new COVID-19 cases reaching an all-time high in the Philippines including the island of Cebu, and the worsening situations of our hospitals here, the Cebu City Government will re-impose once again stay-at-home policy with stricter implementation starting on August 16, 2021.
Cebu City Acting Mayor Mike Rama issued Executive Order No. 137, named as “Oplan Puyo 8-15-31″, to enforce a “heightened state” of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). This is effective from August 16 to August 31, 2021.
With the new Executive Order, everyone in the city is required to stay at home at all times and cannot go out for for non-essential activities. except for essential services, transactions, and authorized persons outside their residences.
Only the following are allowed to go out until August 31, 2021:
- Healthcare workers
- Emergency, security, and force personnel
- Authorized national and local government officials
- Drivers and personnel or delivery vehicles carrying of all types of cargoes
- Accredited media personnel
- Farmees, fishermen, and agri-business personnel
- Persons who seek medical attention
- Employees of establishments and offices permitted to operate
Executive Order No. 137 Highlights
- Liquor ban in public areas.
- Curfew is 10PM to 4AM, except for essential workers and employees.
- Non-essential movements. You may need to present a valid ID or proof of employment or other necessary permits.
- Only essential gatherings are allowed by the city government such as government and health-related services.
- Religious activities are allowed up to 10% of the venue capacity only.
- Necrological services, wakes, and interments in sitios, chapels or the like that are not related to COVID-19 will be limited to immediate family members only.
- Public and private transportation and other alternative modes are allowed to operate but should have permits from the DOTr. Open-window policy will also be implemented for public transportation.
- All persons entering Cebu City through any port of entry are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result within the last 72 hours or a negative antigen test result within 48 hours.
Businesses allowed to operate (at half capacity)
- Media establishments
- Dental, rehabilitation, optometry and other medical clinics
- Veterinary clinics
- Banks, pawnshops, money transfer services & capital markets
- Water supply, janitorial/sanitation services & energy sector
- Telecommunication companies, internet service provider & cable television provider
- Airline and aircraft maintenance & aviation schools
- Shipyard operations
- Lotteries will be open with limited capacity
- Hotels or accommodation establishments are allowed to have guests and clients for legitimate purposes under a state of public health emergency.
Prohibited from operating
- Entertainment venues such as theaters;
- Recreational activities such as internet cafes and arcades
- Amusement parks & indoor and outdoor sports courts
- Gyms, spas, and swimming pools;
- Outdoor tourist attractions
- Indoor tourist attractions such as libraries and museums
As concerned citizens, let’s do our part and follow these new policies, observe minimum health standards, and get vaccinated. We highly urge citizens to register through PaBakunaTa.com that connects to http://vims.cebucity.gov.ph/page/register. For non-Cebu City residents, you can check the complete list here: https://sugbo.ph/2021/free-vaccine-in-cebu/.
