Granular lockdowns enforced in Cebu City amid rising number of COVID-19 cases

[FILE PHOTO] COP CHECK Policemen in Cebu City flag down delivery men to check their documents as the city implements a strict lockdown amid the surge of COVID-19 cases. —NESTLE SEMILLA

City Mayor Edgardo Labella said he found it more prudent to implement granular or neighborhood-level lockdowns to revive the struggling local economy while ensuring the safety of the people.

“When you speak of granular lockdowns, it could only be a lockdown on the street. It could only be a lockdown of a family. It could only be a lockdown of a sitio. So that depends on the situation,” he said.

Labella, however, had yet to release the total number of localities that would be placed under granular lockdown.

Policemen on Monday implemented strict border controls all around the city to limit the number of people coming in.

The borders, he said, would be closed for those traveling for leisure and non-official businesses, while workers, Authorized Personnel Outside Residence (APOR), and those with legitimate concerns would be allowed to enter the city, provided they have the proper documents.

From single digits in October, the number of new COVID-19 patients in the city increased to double digits since last week, bringing its active cases to 292 on Sunday, according to the Department of Health.

The city recorded 59 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday alone followed by 30 on Sunday.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who is tasked with overseeing the government response to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Cebu, met city officials on Monday to discuss measures to slow down the spread of the virus.

“Some people in the city may have been too complacent already. I believe there is a need to remind them that the virus is still here. If the city government continues implementing the health measures, I believe we can stop the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases,” Cimatu said.

Edited by LZB