Cebu City's new curfew hours
The overnight curfew did kick in at 11.30 pm, but was eased up yesterday. By just 30 minutes! [B]FFS!! JUST 30 minutes![/B].
So it now starts at midnight.
Link below. [I]
ARNOLD BUSTAMANTE
December 02, 2021
THE Cebu City Government has implemented new curfew hours starting Thursday dawn, December 2, 2021.
Unlike the previous curfew hours that started at 11:30 p.m., it will now start at 12 midnight and run till 3 a.m. for adults, and run from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for minors, according to a new directive issued by Mayor Michael Rama.
Authorized persons outside of residence or Apor are excluded from the curfew as long as they comply with the minimum health standards.
Those aged 12 years old and below and people 65 and above have also been ordered to stay at home to avoid another surge of the Covid-19.
Police in the city vowed to strictly enforce Ramas directive including the mayors order to bar unvaccinated individuals from entering all establishments beginning January 1, 2022.
To enter establishments in Cebu City, whether public or private, a vaccination card will have to be presented as proof of vaccination.
So starting January 1, 2022, whether it is public or private institutions, they will only cater to fully vaccinated clients. So if you are not fully vaccinated, you can no longer avail of the services or transact business in government or private institutions, said Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, in a mix of English and Cebuano.
Parilla said drinking in public places is still strictly prohibited, except in places that have met the requirements of the Cebu City Government.
Police called on establishments such as restobars and restaurants to strictly abide by Ramas order by asking for Covid-19 vaccination cards from their customers before taking their orders starting January 1, 2022.
Those caught violating this directive will be reported to Cebu City Hall for the imposition of appropriate penalties, Parilla said.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government has urged those aged 12 and above to get vaccinated before the end of 2021 for the city to achieve its 70 percent target herd immunity.[/I].
[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1914829/Cebu/Local-News/New-curfew-for-Cebu-City[/URL]
And another report here;.
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/414903/cebu-citys-new-curfew-starts-from-12-midnight-to-3am-for-adults-and-10pm-to-4am-for-minors[/URL]
7 photos
Last Monday in Consolacion
A nice threesome last Monday afternoon in Consolacion, a good start to the week.
1 k for each girl, plus fare.
3 photos
Yesterday afternoon in Lapu-Lapu
Creampie with one of my regulars, in a s/t hotel.
Her family house in Lapu-Lapu city was badly damaged in the storm on December 16 (typhoon Odette / Rai), it lost its roof and they are still without electricity.
Cebu to accept both vaxxed, unvaxxed foreign travelers
According to this news report published yesterday (link below), starting March 1st, unvaxxed foreign tourists will be allowed into the Philippines via Mactan-Cebu International airport (but no mention of them being allowed into other International airports in the Philippines).
All the news reports that I have read over the last month or so have all clearly stated that unvaxxed tourists will not be allowed into the country. Is the Mactan-Cebu International airport a backdoor way for unvaxxed tourists to enter the country?! My guess is that from March 1st the restrictions on entry for unvaxxed foreign tourists will be lifted for the whole of the Philippines.
<START.
ARVIE N. VELOSO. February 09,2022.
FROM Thursday, Feb. 10,2022, Cebu province will accept foreign travelers, whether from non-visa-required or visa-required countries, as approved under Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution 160-be issued last week.
And from March, it will also admit unvaccinated foreign nationals, according to Executive Order (EO) 3, series of 2022 issued by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
This is a way to gradually revive the tourism industry in the country and the fortunes of the local government units which have been severely affected by the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Garcia's EO 3 contains the rules to be followed by those who wish to visit and explore Cebu.
For foreigners from non-visa-required countries who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, they need to present a vaccination card or proof of vaccination against Covid-19 permitted by the IATF, and a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction) test taken within 48 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, provided they did not leave the airport premises or were not admitted into another country during layovers.
Proof of vaccination must be presented prior to departure from the country of origin, as well as on arrival in Cebu.
They must also have "valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from date of arrival in the Philippines" and travel insurance for Covid-19 treatment costs for a coverage of at least US $35,000 for the duration of their stay in the country.
They will not undergo facility-based quarantine in Cebu but will just self-monitor for symptoms for seven days.
Nationals from 157 countries may be admitted into the Philippines without a visa for an initial stay of 30 days, according to the Bureau of Immigration.
These countries include Canada, Japan, Singapore, USA, New Zealand, Malaysia and South Korea.
[B]Visa required.[/B]
For vaccinated foreign nationals from visa-required countries, they need to present the Entry Exemption Document issued under IATF regulations, in addition to presenting proof of vaccination, a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines.
They also will not undergo facility-based quarantine but will self-monitor for symptoms for seven days.
If they experience symptoms of Covid-19, tourists are instructed to inform the management of the hotel or resort in which they are billeted so that the local government unit (LGU) may also be informed.
At that point, the foreigner must be subjected to a rapid antigen test or an RT-PCR test.
If he tests positive in the Covid test, he must isolate and strictly follow health and quarantine protocols.
If it is necessary to take the foreigner to an isolation facility or hospital, the LGU is tasked to coordinate with the Department of Health for the patient's referral.
[B]Unvaccinated[/B]
Starting March 1, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated, or foreign nationals whose vaccination status cannot be independently determined can enter the Cebu airport only if they present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before departing from their country of origin.
Such passengers will be subjected to a swab test on arrival.
They are also required to observe quarantine in a facility until the release of the result of their second RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day of their quarantine.
Such individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated against Covid-19 during their stay in Cebu.
For this purpose, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH 7) will make available the single-dose Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine for unvaccinated foreign nationals. It is free and there is no charge for getting vaccinated.
The Cebu Provincial Government first met with consul generals of Japan, Korea and China, officials of the Department of Tourism, tour operators, and representatives of the DOH 7, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport prior to the issuance of EO 3, to come up with a unified approach to the entry of tourists to Cebu Province.
<END.
[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1920601/cebu/local-news/cebu-to-accept-both-vaxxed-unvaxxed-foreign-travelers[/URL]
Cebu City now at Alert Level 2, Mandaue City to drop overnight curfew
Restrictions in Cebu City and the whole Central Visayas have been eased, starting from today. It was at Alert Level 3 up until yesterday but is now at Alert Level 2. The main benefit for mongers is that they can now bring guests into their hotels / condos / apartments, at Alert Level 3 this was prohibited.
There is currently an overnight curfew in Cebu City that starts at 11 pm (it has been in operation since March 2020 thought the start / finish times have been changed about 5 or 6 times over that time period) meaning that all bars and restaurants have to close at about 10.30 pm, but according to this news report (link below) Mandaue City has now dropped the overnight curfew.
There is no mention in this news report about the current curfew in Cebu City, but I came across a fb post this morning from a poster in Cebu City who says that the current curfew in Cebu City will from tonight start at 12 pm. I am not sure if this correct, but now Mandaue City has scrapped the overnight curfew (as did Manila a few months ago) it surely can't be long till Cebu City does the same!
<START.
February 15,2022.
THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has eased the alert level of the whole Central Visayas to Alert Level 2 for Feb. 16 to 28,2022 from Alert Level 3.
Metro Manila, however, will stay under Alert Level 2 until the end of February, acting presidential spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday, Feb. 14,2022.
He also said the IATF placed seven areas under Alert Level 3 until Feb. 28: Iloilo City, Iloilo Province and Guimaras in Western Visayas; Zamboanga City in Zamboanga Peninsula; Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental in Davao Region; and South Cotabato in Soccsksargen.
In Cebu, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes reacted to the news by saying he would lift the curfew in the city while it is under Alert Level 2.
Cortes made the decision after noting that many businesses and employees are still struggling to recover from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic amid the implementation of the city's 11 pm To 4 am Curfew.
"Many businesses and employees in the city are having difficulty recovering (from the pandemic), especially since we are still implementing a curfew. Now that we will be placed under Alert Level 2, we will remove the curfew in the city of Mandaue," Cortes said in Cebuano.
John Eddu Ibaez, executive secretary of Cortes, said the mayor will issue an executive order Tuesday on the Alert Level 2 status in the city.
But amid the easing of restrictions, Cortes reminded the public to still observe the minimum health protocols and to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
"Let us all help each other so we can recover from the hardships brought by this pandemic," he said.
As of Feb. 13, data from the Department of Health showed that Mandaue City logged 17 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 504.
Cebu City.
In Cebu City, Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera expressed his elation, exclaiming, "Alert Level 2 it is! Data speaks for itself. " he said he will suggest to Mayor Michael Rama to lift curfew in the city.
The city has been seeing a decline in its Covid-19 case numbers in the past days.
On Sunday, Feb. 13, Cebu City's daily positivity rate returned to the single-digit level after it came in at 8. 58 percent, a massive decline from the record-high 56.62 percent positivity rate posted 23 days ago last Jan. 21.
The last time the city recorded a positivity rate in single digits was last Jan. 2 at 2. 67 percent.
"To me, this is the best Valentine's gift, and we should continue to work together, protocol-wise. Nothing is impossible. By being cautious at all times, we can defeat Covid and go back to our normal lives," Garganera said of the declining numbers.
Garganera, who is also deputy chief implementer of the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said Cebu City's hospital utilization rate is now "very safe at 36 percent," a sharp fall from the 70 percent recorded three weeks ago.
Cebu City's active cases were down to 2,364 on Sunday, a far cry from the 7,633 active cases recorded last Jan. 27, the highest number of active cases reported since the pandemic began in March 2020.
The EOC reported 500 recoveries, 46 fresh cases and two new deaths on Sunday, bringing the total number of fatalities this month to 31.
Nograles said other areas in the country under Alert Level 2 from Feb. 16 to 28 are as follows:
Cordillera Administrative Region Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province.
Region 1 - Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan.
Region 2 Batanes, City of Santiago, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino.
Region 3 Bulacan, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales.
Region 4 A. Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Lucena City and Quezon.
Region 4 be. Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon.
Region 5 Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga City, Sorsogon.
Region 6 - Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Negros Occidental.
Region 8 - Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte.
Region 9 - City of Isabela, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Region 10 - Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental.
Region 11 - Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental.
Region 12 - General Santos City, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat.
Region 13 - Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan City, Dinagat Islands.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur.
The easing to Alert Level 2 status means expanding the capacity for recreation venues, from 30 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 50 percent outdoor capacity, to 50 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 70 percent outdoor capacity.
It also allows more business establishments to operate and activities to resume, such as cinemas, clubs, karaoke bars, concert halls, contact sports, face-to-face classes and funfairs.
<END.
[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1921020/cebu/local-news/cebu-cv-ease-to-alert-level-2-mandaue-city-to-drop-curfew[/URL]
Entry of unvaccinated foreign travelers to Cebu
At the moment, only vaxxed foreigners are allowed into the Philippines, but from March 1st, unvaxxed foreigners will be allowed to fly into the country if they enter the country via Mactan-Cebu International airport. Unless the rules change, it will be the only airport in the country to allow in unvaxxed foreigners.
In a press conference held 2 days ago, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia made a valid point. If unvaxxed returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are allowed entry to the Philippines, why shouldn't unvaxxed foreigners also be allowed entry?!
News report (link below);.
[B]<START.[/B]
February 18,2022.
[B]Gwen: It's the IATF that allowed entry of unvaccinated travelers.[/B]
UNDER fire for allowing the entry of unvaccinated foreign travelers to the country beginning March 1, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has hit back at her detractors, saying it is the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases that allows this.
"Why am I allowing unvaccinated travelers to the Philippines? Hello, the IATF has been allowing unvaccinated travelers to the Philippines with their own resolution, only that it has been qualified. If you are unvaccinated, then you have to be quarantined for five days. So it's not me that's allowing. It's the IATF," Garcia said during a press conference at the Capitol Thursday, February 17,2022.
Garcia said IATF resolutions allowed unvaccinated travelers, such as overseas Filipino workers (OFW), returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) "and even foreign spouses of Filipino citizens," to enter the country.
Last February 9, Garcia issued Executive Order (EO) 3, series of 2022, allowing unvaccinated and partially vaccinated foreign nationals, whether from non-visa-required or visa-required countries, traveling to Cebu for business or leisure, entry starting March 1, if they present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before departing from their country of origin.
Such passengers will also be subjected to a swab test on arrival. And they must observe quarantine in a facility until the release of the result of their second RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day of their quarantine.
Her order immediately drew responses from Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who said the IATF allows the entry, for leisure purposes, only of fully vaccinated foreign nationals; and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who said all local government units are mandated to follow IATF policies.
Garcia said it was the IATF that "lifted the quarantine period for fully vaccinated OFWs and ROFs, and added further, for the unvaccinated, they will still be quarantined for five days, whereupon they will be swabbed on the fifth day and with a negative result, they will then be allowed to continue their quarantine at home," referring to IATF Resolution 159.
Issued on January 27,2022, IATF Resolution 159 suspended the use of the color-coded risk classification for incoming travelers and shifted to the use of vaccination status as basis for travelers' quarantine protocol.
Under this resolution, starting February 1, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals must undergo "facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day. ".
Garcia said it was also the IATF that subsequently allowed from February 10, "the entry of foreign travelers from non-visa required countries, fully vaccinated," referring to IATF Resolution 160-be.
"In that same resolution, they also allowed for the entry of those that would be holding, if a visa is required, 9 (a) visas or EED (entry exemption document). And they say that if they are not vaccinated or they do not fulfill kadtong unsa klaseng (the requirement for the right kind of) vaccine, then they will be quarantined, again for five days--the same treatment we give to the unvaccinated ROFs and OFWs and even foreign spouses of Filipino citizens," the governor said.
Under IATF Resolution 160-be, after non-compliant travelers quarantined in a facility get their negative result of the RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, they are still required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day.
Under Garcia's EO 3, however, no home quarantine is required after the release of unvaccinated foreign nationals from facility-based quarantine.
Garcia asked why unvaccinated foreigners could not be allowed entry when unvaccinated ROFs and OFWs were allowed entry.
"Why a different set of rules? Are we differently wired as Filipinos, or returning Filipinos, or even as foreign spouses of Filipino citizens, as compared to others that are coming in, especially from non-visa countries? Or even from visa-required countries, that will be coming in to help us revive an already devastated economy, first of all because of those now proven-to-be-useless lockdowns, further restrictions of Covid-19? And remember, we were just unceremoniously visited by Typhoon Odette right before Christmas season. Which wrought even further devastation to our economy," the governor said. (CTL).
[B]<END.[/B]
[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1921361/cebu/local-news/gwen-its-the-iatf-that-allowed-entry-of-unvaccinated-travelers[/URL]
Curfew lifted in Cebu Province
After nearly 2 years, the overnight curfew has been lifted. But only for Cebu Province. Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City are still under overnight curfew, so will have to wait! (The overnight curfew in Mandaue City has already been dropped.)
News report (link below);
[B]<START.[/B]
By: Delta Dyrecka Letigio. Multimedia Reporter. CDN Digital.
February 19,2022 - 08:08 AM.
CEBU CITY, Philippines Movement will no longer be restricted in Cebu Province after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered the lifting of the curfew that prohibits Cebuanos from staying outside of their homes at past midnight.
"With the declining COVID-19 cases within the Province, and increased vaccination coverage continued implementation of minimum public health standards, and in view of economic considerations, the Provincial Government finds it prudent to lift its curfew limitations within the Province of Cebu during the implementation of Alert Level 2 in order to begin the shift towards the New Normal," reads portions of Executive Order (EO) Number 5 Series 2022 which Garcia signed Friday night, February 18,2022.
Garcia's EO takes effect immediately.
[I]SNIP[/I]
[B]<END.[/B]
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/425813/curfew-lifted-in-cebu-province[/URL]
Overnight curfew - updates
Links to 3 more news reports;
[B]Cebu City open to lifting curfew; Rama to announce decision on Feb. 24 [/B]
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/425339/cebu-city-open-to-lifting-curfew-rama-to-announce-decision-on-feb-24[/URL]
[B]Police want curfew to stay in Cebu City[/B]
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/425680/police-wants-curfew-to-stay-in-cebu-city[/URL]
[B]Chan wont lift curfew in Lapu-Lapu despite easing of COVID in Cebu[/B]
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/425581/chan-wont-lift-curfew-in-lapu-lapu-despite-easing-of-covid-in-cebu[/URL]
Cebu City lifts overnight curfew
Finally, after the best part of 2 years, the overnight curfew here in Cebu City has, from today, been lifted, and I really can't ever see it coming back! However, the lifting of the overnight curfew is only for those over the age of 18, as minors are still under house-arrest from 10 pm to 4 am.
The main restriction still in place here is the mandate on the wearing of face-masks when outdoors, as well as when inside the malls. This mandate is widely observed with close to 100% of locals and foreigners obeying the mandate. Like most people, I look forward to this mandate being scrapped.
Link below;.
[B]<START[/B]
February 24,2022 - 01:26 PM.
CEBU CITY, Philippines Cebu City is now "open" to all with only minimal COVID-19 restrictions left in the city.
Mayor Michael Rama announced during the celebration of Cebu City's 85th Charter Day on Thursday, February 24,2022, his new Executive Order (EO) titled Oplan Kagawasan, which would open Cebu City again almost to a pre-pandemic state.
In EO 163, the mayor argued that the city's vaccination program had earned the top spot for the most number of inoculations during the national vaccination days that paved the way to the vaccination of more than 70 percent of the city's vulnerable class target population.
In his speech for the Cebu City 85th Charter Day Celebrations, Rama said Oplan Kagawasan represents the future of Cebu City, moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Kagawasan. Ang tanan, abli na. Kagawasan uban sa nagkahiusang kaakohan. Freedom with shared responsibility. Clearly all establishments and activities are open and allowed. Strict enforcement of minimum public health standards, no restrictions as to age or vaccination status. No curfew except minors," said Rama.
In the EO, all establishments, persons, and activities shall be permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken regardless of age and vaccination status of persons.
This is provided that minimum public health standards shall be strictly observed at all times including wearing of face masks, regular sanitation, proper coughing and sneezing etiquettes, and staying at home when sick.
The EO also states that the observance of curfew is formally lifted except the curfew for minors, which must be observed and enforced from 10:00 pm To 4:00 am Pursuant to an existing City Ordinance.
Intensified vaccination will also continue throughout the city as part of the effort to further open more sectors, especially face-to-face classes.
"In an effort to promote self-regulation, all establishments, persons and families are directed to set and impose protective health protocols and action plans. This includes the installation of facilities and devices which improve air circulation and proper ventilation. For this purpose, all persons are enjoined to carry out a shared responsibility in the maintenance and promotion of a safe and healthy place and environment for all," said the EO.
In a press conference shortly after the Charter Day celebrations, Rama said that even inbound unvaccinated domestic travelers entering the city through its seaports will be allowed to enter without the need for negative COVID-19 test results.
"If you are talking about one island Cebu, we just need to avoid the policy of the one island," added Rama.
Capacities for establishments will no longer be determined by number but by compliance in social distancing, said Lawyer Collin Rosell, the emissary of the mayor.
Rosell explained that with the implementation of social distancing, it is expected that an establishment's capacity will immediately reduce to less than 100 percent, approximately 70, and even up to 50 percent.
"Ang kanang physical distancing, klaro kaayo sa tanan nga imong capacity mogamay. Ig distancing nimo, basin maabot na og 50 percent, di moubos. Gisimplify lang nato," said Rosell.
[B]<END[/B]
[URL]https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/426711/cebu-city-removes-major-covid-19-restrictions[/URL]
