The Dumaguete City government, through its health marshals and barangay officials, is intensifying border control measures to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 and keep the Delta variant out.
Rey Lyndon Lawas, city executive consultant for security, said that although the Covid-19 cases are manageable, they must continue their relentless patrols and strict implementation of health protocols.
As of Saturday, the city logged 47 active Covid-19 cases.
It is under the general community quarantine with heightened restrictions for the entire month of August.
Among the restrictions being imposed, aside from the usual wearing of masks, are the ban on mass gatherings, limited seating capacity in restaurants, and prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
“Individuals aged 17 and below and 66 and above are prohibited from leaving their homes, unless for emergency reasons,” Lawas said.
The health marshals include members of the City Health Office, Philippine National Police, Traffic Management Office, Special Enforcement Unit, Department of Trade and Industry, City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Administrator’s Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Lawas, who also heads the Emergency Operations Center, said he has started discussions with local government units nearby, such as Valencia, Bacong and Sibulan, to control their shared borders and the movement of people.
No Delta variant infections have been reported in Dumaguete or in the province of Negros Oriental but they are wary as the neighboring Cebu province already has confirmed cases of the hyper-transmissible variant.*PNA
