DAVAO CITY — Citing limitations on the availability of testing kits, Mayor Sara Duterte has placed the entire city under community quarantine.
Duterte ditched an earlier directive where a declaration of community quarantine would require at least two confirmed COVID-19 cases in separate barangays.
The Davao City mayor said there is an urgent need to be “aggressive and proactive on the impending spread of Covid19 in Davao City.”
Under the executive order, Duterte outlined 11 rules that must be strictly followed by the city.
The local government said all residents must stay inside their homes except if there is a need to work, go to the hospital, dispose of trash, and buy food and medicines.
Public gatherings and school classes from kindergarten to post-graduate are also suspended until the lifting of the state of public health emergency, which her father earlier declared throughout the country.
All religious activities, including worship and prayer services, are also suspended.
Duterte, however, reminded that government services and work must not be disrupted.
To clarify questions about workers from other towns and provinces, Duterte said they may be allowed to enter the city but must submit to mandatory screening procedures.
Asking for their cooperation, Duterte said private companies should implement flexible work plans for employees.
Meanwhile, the local government has likewise directed residents to procure services and goods online from local suppliers.
Online meetings and bank transactions are now also required to avoid the further spread of the virus.
Despite the strict limitation on the movement of people, public transportation around the city as well as cargo deliveries will still be fully operational.