CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force – 7 for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF7-MEID) has asked the National IATF to exempt outbound locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Cebu City from the travel ban.
RIATF-7 passed a resolution seeking the exemption of LSIs leaving Cebu City from the travel ban. The city is now placed under modified enhanced community quarantine from July 16 to 31.
For areas under enhanced community quarantine and MECQ, public transportation shall be suspended and the movement of all residents shall still be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in permitted offices or establishments or such other activities listed under the IATF omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines.
The movement of LSIs going to and coming from Cebu City is likewise temporarily suspended since June 19 following the directive of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.
The suspension has not yet been lifted as of this writing. RIATF-7 sought the permission of the National IATF to allow outbound LSIs in Cebu City to be exempted from the travel ban, provided that all requirements under the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Order No. 2020-02 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-087 are complied with prior to their return to their respective places of residence.
The LSIs will also be subjected to local health protocols imposed by the receiving local government units that are consistent with IATF policies. FPL (FREEMAN)