Cebu City establishments now allowed 100% capacity

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City establishments can now accommodate up to their full capacity or 100 percent for as long as they comply with minimum health protocols, the Emergency Operations Center announced following the de-escalation of the city to Alert Level 1 status until March 31.

“Yes (establishments are allowed to operate at a 100 percent capacity). We give that latitude, but then again, they can go what is being provided for,” EOC deputy chief implementer City Councilor Joel Garganera told reporters yesterday.

Garganera said business owners are given discretion to implement and monitor their self-regulating policies.

“We leave that to the discretion of our establishments or mga event organizers. We leave that to them because part of which is we have to be compliant with the basic health protocols, so ang amo lang ma-suggest in order to reach the maximum, nga kaning mga infrastructure nga mga parameters nga we want to be in place like ventilation, the wearing of face mask, nga ma-put in place gyud siya,” he said.

Under Alert Level 1, there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities, according to the IATF. All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards.

Garganera said that as of yesterday, March 16, the city has 141 active COVID-19 cases. Out of the 753 tested, only 14 yielded a positive result, giving a 1.86 positivity rate.

“We have to lower this, and then all these data present to us that COVID is still very much around. Naa gihapon si COVID, so again dili ta mokompyansa kay kaning atong pagkompyansa, maoy atong numero unong kontra. Padayon gihapon ta pagprotehir sa atong kaugalingon,” said Garganera. XXX

Be responsible

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama has reminded his constituents that the easing of restrictions also comes with responsibilities in order to sustain the gains achieved by the city in its fight versus Covid-19.

“Achieving excellence is one, but sustaining it is another. Maintaining steadfastness, persistence, consistency by all of us, if we continue to be united, do self-sacrifice, and apply self-policing, will make excellence a way of life,” said Rama.

Rama said that though establishments are now allowed to operate in 100 percent capacity, Cebuanos also need to remain careful.

“We continue to be liberated, but balik lang gihapon sa amping, amping, amping…simple,” Rama said.

The mayor said the city government continues to work hard towards normalcy.

“It’s a call which, definitely, ang ako gyung gi-look forward is dili gani new normal, but normal gyud,” he said.

Rama also said he hopes to see Cebuanos exercise their right to vote.

“We keep on working and working and working kay ang akong gi-look forward gyud is the will of the people would really be pronounced when election will come, so everybody should go out and vote. You cannot go out and vote if you bring restrictions,” Rama said. – with Caecent N. Magsumbol and Decemay  P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)