Tacloban suspends gatherings amid COVID-19 surge

Photo from Mayor Alfred Romualdez Facebook page

TACLOBAN CITY––Although it remains under the most relaxed form of quarantine, Mayor Alfred Romualdez has banned in-person gatherings after the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Among the prohibited activities are graduation ceremonies, concerts, and sporting events.

Only Masses are allowed provided that the seating capacity is at 50 percent and minimum health protocols are followed.

“As a precautionary measure and in anticipation of any development that may arise and in accordance with inter-agency task force regulations and relevant issuances, all public in-person assemblies are prohibited until further notice. All previously issued permits to hold such events are hereby withdrawn,” Romualdez said in his executive order 2021-06-023.

Violators face a P20,000 to P50,000 fine and/or not more than six months in jail, at the discretion of the court and as provided under the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

Several events had been canceled due to Romualdez’s directive.

One of these was the “eco-pantry” organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Eastern Visayas (DENR-8).

As part of the agency’s Earth Day celebration, DENR-8 was supposed to give away eco-friendly and reusable eco-bags, tumblers, mugs, and cloth masks, as well as yakal seedlings at its regional office in Tacloban last June 4.

Malls have also canceled Sunday Masses, and performances in compliance with Romualdez’s order.

LZB