Starting January next year, the Cebu City government will be more aggressive in requiring residents to get inoculated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by requiring them to get fully vaccinated before they can visit establishments and transact business in private and public offices.
On Thursday, Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, Cebu City Police Office deputy director for operations, said Mayor Michael Rama issued a new executive order that strictly imposed guidelines in preparation for Christmas and Sinulog.
“The new directives and guidelines cover special activities with social, political, cultural, traditional, historical, educational and religious significance and the like,” Parilla said in a presser.
He said starting next year, all offices and establishments will be required to check the vaccination cards of their clients and customers, and the police will ensure this rule will be strictly followed.
He said the most crucial of the policies will be enjoining all establishments and offices, whether private or public, to disseminate information that they will only cater or allow entry to only fully inoculated individuals.
“So it’s clear that if you are not fully vaccinated, you cannot avail of the services or transact business to government or private institutions,” he added.
The new policy also requires establishments not to allow minors 12 to 17 years old if they are not fully vaccinated, even if they will be accompanied by their parents or responsible adults.
This, he said, will encourage children and adolescents to seek full coverage against Covid-19 through inoculation.
Also starting January 2022, only fully vaccinated individuals will be accommodated in indoor and outdoor venues.
All persons entering the city through land, sea and air will be required to present their vaccination card with quick response (QR) code and proof of identity to those who are vaccinated, while negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result valid for 72 hours or negative antigen or saliva test result valid for 48 hours for non-vaccinated travelers.
Parilla said the new curfew hours in the city cover from midnight up to 3 a.m. while minors below 18 years old have curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. of the following day.
But authorized persons outside residence (APOR) will be exempted in the curfew policy to allow unimpeded operations of midnight economies like the business process outsource companies in the city, he said.
The new directive also will stand on the current policy on sale of liquor, as Parilla said drinking in public will still be prohibited even after the New Year.
Source: Philippines News Agency
