Davao mayor orders limited movement of residents, visitors in city

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

DAVAO CITY — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has issued on Thursday an order that is practically a bit short of imposing a lockdown.

The presidential daughter clarified that the city is technically not yet on lockdown but in her 8th COVID-19 guidelines, Duterte enforced a stricter limitation on the movement of people as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

First, all Davao residents are prohibited from going out of the city, Mayor Duterte said.

She added that “all short term visitors are advised to leave Davao City immediately” including those who are staying in hotels for tourism purposes or conferences.

Further, Duterte said that all travelers planning to visit the city are advised to postpone their trips until the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency, which was earlier declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mayor Duterte’s order came hours before the President went on national broadcast Thursday evening to announce various measures, including the “community quarantine” of Metro Manila, which practically means a lockdown of the national capital.

Mayor Duterte ordered the suspension of the operations of the Roxas Night Market, which attracts hundreds of residents and tourists every night.

The local government also ordered the shutting down of all playgrounds to avoid the risks of children being infected by the virus.

Both orders were issued by Mayor Duterte on Thursday while undergoing voluntary self-quarantine in her residence.