Davao City is likely to be returned to general community quarantine (GCQ), Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Monday after receiving information from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The mayor said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio that she would try to appeal to the IATF if the city could remain under the modified general community quarantine. Still, if the IATF does not agree, the Davawenyos should prepare for the GCQ.
“Kung ma deny gihapon ang appeal nga magpabilin ta og MGCQ, may I request everyone nga duna tay July 2 nga version sa Omnibus Guidelines nga atoa lang i-review, pasadahan nato kung unsa tong GCQ para mahinumdom ta kung unsa atoang kinahanglan buhaton during a GCQ. So maayo nang mangandam ta daan for a status nga GCQ,” said Duterte-Carpio.
(If the appeal is still denied that we stay at MGCQ, I request everyone with a July 2 version of the omnibus guidelines that we just review, let’s see what GCQ is, so we should prepare for GCQ status.)
According to the mayor, that is what happens when people are stubborn and do not follow health protocols.
The news saddens some business owners that could be affected if Davao City returns to the general community quarantine.
Also read: Rape, trafficking raps vs. Quiboloy junked by Davao prosecutors
The Panorama Summit Hotel would have been ready to implement health protocols for their guests under MGCQ, but if the city would go back to GCQ, the hotel will not be allowed to receive accommodation.
“The moment that Davao will go back to GCQ, we have no other choice but to follow what is mandated by the law of our LGU. We have to respect that,” said May Aranda, general manager of Panorama Summit Hotel.
Should Davao City return to GCQ, fitness gyms, salons and barbershops, karaoke bars, and comedy bars would be prohibited from operating under GCQ.
Mass gatherings and religious gatherings are also prohibited. The dine-in capacity of restaurants would be reduced from 50 percent down to 30 percent.
Meanwhile, the LGU continues to receive stranded and OFW residents in Davao.
According to Duterte-Carpio, everyone will undergo COVID-19 tests, and those who test positive will go straight to the quarantine facility because home quarantine is not allowed.