CEBU CITY––A town in Cebu province has required its residents to secure a clearance from their respective villages if they want to hold social gatherings, such as birthdays, weddings, and baptisms.
San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 21, which aims to monitor the movement of people in the municipality, and stop the spread of COVID-19.
“A barangay clearance/permit shall be required for birthdays, weddings, baptismal, and such other related family events and activities,” the EO read.
Authorized personnel from San Remigio Police Station and representatives of the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force and Barangay Task Force on Monitoring Compliance were tasked to inspect all approved activities.
San Remigio, which has a population of 65,744 based on the 2020 census, is under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until Aug. 31.
Curfew in the town starts from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Essential workers reporting for work are exempted as long as they can present valid proof of employment.
Residents below 18 years old and over 60 are advised to strictly stay at home.
Business establishments, such as convenience stores, restaurants, and sari-sari stores within the town were mandated to comply with the prescribed curfew, except for pharmacies and drug stores.
All other establishments, such as internet cafes and videoke or karaoke bars, are not allowed to operate.
Also banned are entertainment establishments such as cinemas, theaters, libraries, museums, and cultural centers, as well as personal care services, including massage parlors, sauna, facial care, and waxing.
Since COVID-19 cases in San Remigio were increasing, the barangays were mandated to prepare their isolation facilities for the patients.
The town prefers the use of classrooms as isolation facilities since these are well-ventilated.
However, it must get the approval of the Department of Education. As of Aug. 22, San Remigio had 92 active cases of COVID-19.