By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo ordered the reopening of the city’s borders following months of strict control as part of the locality’s efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019, or Covid-19.
Gustilo said he met with Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Deputy Implementer for the Visayas, retired Major Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, last October 31 in the city. During the meeting, it was agreed by local officials that they will set up an Emergency Operations Center that will focus on containing the local transmission.
“Those who were infected with Covid-19 cannot blame the government of what happened to them because the government already made several policies as safety measures for them to strictly follow including health and safety protocols such as temperature check, hand sanitation, mandatory wearing of face mask and face shield at all times and observe social distancing among others,” he said.
He further stated the people must heed to these health and safety protocols set by the government if they want themselves and their family to be safe.
Following the lifting of some restrictions in the city starting October 31, the checkpoints and border control points in barangays Buluangan, Punao and Prosperidad loosened up to realign forces and focus activities on curbing the local transmission of the virus happening in the city.
San Carlos City police chief, Police Major Mark Angelo Junco, said the demobilized police troopers on borders will help the local government in its move in containing the local transmission.
He also clarified that easing the borders doesn’t mean that residents can now cross anytime they want.
“Travels should be of valid reasons especially to restricted areas which require residents to get travel authorities from their agency,” he added.
Earlier, the local government of San Carlos City tightened non-essential travel in the locality following a noted spike in local transmission of Covid-19 cases.
As of November 2, the city has a total of 278 confirmed cases, 115 of which are still active. The city also recorded 150 recoveries and 13 deaths./DGB, WDJ