Cebu officials implement stricter measures vs coronavirus; vehicle number coding set

CEBU CITY – Cebu officials have stepped up measures to stop the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the province.

Starting Monday, April 20, the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Lapu-Lapu will implement a number-coding scheme to regulate the number of vehicles on the streets.

On Tuesday, the provincial government will no longer allow workers of certain establishments to cross the borders between Cebu City and the province.

The local government units in Cebu decided to stepped up its measures against CoVID-19 after cases on the island reached 185 as of Sunday.

One hundred sixth five of the cases were reported in Cebu City, the cities of  Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue have 11 and six cases respectively while three others were reported in other parts of Cebu.

Mayors Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City and Edgardo Labella of Cebu City issued separate executive orders on Saturday, announcing the implementation of the number coding scheme to limit the number of people going around the cities as a precaution against CoVID-19.

On Sunday, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan issued his own executive order, barring the entry and exit of non-essential personnel through the two bridges that connect Mactan Island and Cebu mainland starting April 20.

Like Mandaue and Cebu cities, Lapu-Lapu was also scheduled to implement a number-coding scheme on Monday.

“Despite the city’s efforts to limit the movement and interaction of people, there are still whose who blatantly disregard the precautionary measures being implemented,” said Chan in his executive order issued on Sunday.

Exempted from the executive orders of the three cities are medical frontliners, emergency and government vehicles and delivery vehicles of essential goods, among others.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia issued an order following a meeting with the mayors of 44 towns and seven cities who agreed that workers in certain establishments would no longer be allowed to cross the borders between Cebu City and the province.

Those barred from entering the province are workers of grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants and food chains, and bakeries.

Affected establishments must find a temporary home for its workers within Cebu City. Those who will cross the borders to Cebu province will be escorted back to Cebu City.

Exempted from the new measures are government officials, healthcare workers, police officers and the military personnel.

Delivery of goods will not be hampered but trucks will be limited to two passengers, including the driver.

Cebu City is an independent local government unit being a highly-urbanized city.

It is bordered by Toledo City and Balamban in the west; Mandaue City in the north, and Talisay City in the south.

Cebu province has around 10 access roads that lead to Cebu City.

Some of these roads, however, will be closed to for better monitoring of entry and exit points.

GSG