The Iloilo City Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday passed an ordinance enacting a curfew over the city due to ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19. However, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the curfew will not be imposed until it is signed and an accompanying executive order is issued.
The ordinance notes, once implemented, the curfew will run from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. and, during that time, nobody is allowed outside of their homes except in cases of emergency or for acquiring basic needs.
The policy also pointed out, those exempt from the curfew include individuals whose jobs extended into curfew hours, those returning from work, health workers, authorized government officials, officials traveling for medical and humanitarian reasons, delivery personnel, essential government workers, public transit drivers, and those transiting at airports or seaports.
Those found in violation will be endorsed to their barangay captain but no penalties will be imposed.
In addition, Treñas issued separate executive orders limiting hours for various entertainment establishments, along with malls.
Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, night clubs, spas, movie theaters, internet cafes, and the like will be limited to operating until 8:00 p.m.; while malls will be required to run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
Meanwhile, the city has set up a 24/7 command operation center at City Hall’s Penthouse 2, which will cater to concerns and queries regarding Covid-19.
As of last Monday, Iloilo City recorded a total of seven patients under investigation and 241 persons under monitoring./WDJ