New classification system starts for Cebu

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Jollygoodfellow
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From today the entire Cebu has been placed on Level two from the IATF. Problem is that local goverment and mayors can still make up their own rules. Acting Mayor of Cebu city said he will meet with stakeholders to decide on what we are allowed to do in the city. Personally I see the new system just like the old is flawed when a mayor can just say yes or no to any relaxed ruling. 

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Whole Cebu under Alert Level 2 till October 31

THE whole Cebu has been placed under Alert Level 2, which brings a loosening of current quarantine restrictions, after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases expanded the pilot implementation of the Alert Levels System to cover areas outside Metro Manila from Wednesday, October 20, until the end of the month.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing that starting October 20, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Cebu Province would be placed under Alert Level 2 which, among other things, would allow cinemas to reopen and expand the venue capacity of other establishments.

Cebu City, Mandaue City and Cebu Province are currently under general community quarantine (GCQ), while Lapu-Lapu City is under GCQ with heightened restrictions.

If the Alert Levels System is seen to be more effective than the current community quarantine classifications, then it will be implemented nationwide, Roque said.

He said the lowering of Covid-19 cases and the improvement of the country’s healthcare utilization rate contributed to the decision to expand the Alert Levels System outside the National Capital Region.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama welcomed the placing of Cebu City under Alert Level 2 following the continued drop in its Covid-19 cases this October.

But Rama said this does not mean the City will follow all the stipulations of the IATF for that classification as he still had to meet with various sectors, including barangay officials, to gather their views on IATF’s loosening of restrictions in the city.

“It’s a welcome development, but... we still have to synthesize all reactions and insights,” Rama said.

Level 2 status would mean expanding capacity for recreation venues and social gatherings in the case of Cebu City, which currently has a cap of 30 percent capacity for recreational venues, and 40 percent capacity for weddings and birthday celebrations.

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the downgrade of the whole Cebu to Alert Level 2 as a major positive development for businesses as they enter the fourth quarter.

“The timing is excellent so businesses can have time to warm up and restock their inventory before the November-December buying season. It can provide the much needed impetus to bring back some life in the business community which suffered very dismal off-take in the third quarter,” Yu said.

He said it is time to reopen before long-term scarring and permanent closures take root.

“It’s about time we learned to live with Covid by complying with health protocols while going full throttle in reviving businesses, livelihoods and jobs,” he said.

Yu said efforts to spur vaccine confidence and attain herd immunity before yearend should be intensified.

“We are near victory in herd immunity as far as Cebu island is concerned,” he said.

As of October 17, nearly 47 percent of the eligible population of Metro Cebu had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

During Tuesday’s press briefing, Roque said starting October 20, Negros Oriental and Davao Occidental would be under the strictest Alert Level 4.

All contact sports (indoor and outdoor), cinemas and movie houses, casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops and other gaming establishments are not allowed under Alert Level 4.

Areas under Alert Level 3 are Cavite, Laguna and Rizal in Calabarzon; Siquijor in Central Visayas; and Davao City and Davao del Norte in Davao Region.

Also under Alert Level 2 are Batangas, Quezon Province, Lucena City, Bohol, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

For Alert Level 1, Roque said the metrics for placing provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities under this level were amended to include the full vaccination of at least 70 percent of the local government units’ A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities) and eligible population.

Below are the guidelines under the alert level system.

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Freebie
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"Personally I see the new system just like the old is flawed when a mayor can just say yes or no to any relaxed ruling.  "

 

In total and full agreement. Every mayor is suddenly a health care, vaccination, and " I know whats best for the people " expert.

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hk blues
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1 hour ago, Freebie said:

In total and full agreement. Every mayor is suddenly a health care, vaccination, and " I know whats best for the people " expert.

Not just every Mayor though...

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scott h
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7 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

still make up their own rules

That is the problem we are running into here in the Metro. System has been in place for a while now. On the face of it it the "system" should work pretty well.

But as you said, LGU's are either making small changes or complaining that they are not being consulted prior to changes taking place.

 

murphys law.jpg

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GeoffH
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1 hour ago, scott h said:

murphys law.jpg

 

d8dc61067ba7417e359e8dc3bab563f9.jpg

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