Business owners remain compliant with health protocols

CEBU, Philippines — All business establishments in Cebu City have been compliant with their “shared responsibility” since “Oplan Kagawasan” was implemented.

Councilor Joel Garganera, head of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said that establishments have been very cooperative in ensuring that health protocols are observed.

He said that business owners’ adherence to “shared responsibility” has contributed largely in maintaining the low positivity rate of COVID-19 in the city.

“There are times nga medyo mo-lax, but when you go inside an enclosed facility or an enclosed establishment, very compliant,” said Garganera.

“You go inside the mall, compliant man. Church, the more they are compliant,” he added.

Even if the city is already “open”, the city government still required the establishments the strict enforcement and implementation of the minimum health protocols such as the wearing of face mask and checking of body temperature.

Even with this positive development, Garganera still reminds the public to remain vigilant as COVID-19 is still around.

“Makita nimo nga maayo, maayo ang atong kaso kay gamay ra pero wa na magpamatood nga wala nay kaso. So, gikinahanglan gihapon nga kita magmatngon,” said Garganera.

Per the EOC data, the city has 49 active cases on April 27, 2022. Of the 598 tested for COVID-19, only five yielded positive result, giving a 0.84 percent daily positivity rate.

To recall, Mayor Michael Rama issued Executive Order No. 163 or Oplan Kagawasan during the city’s Charter Day celebration on February 24. In March, the city government urged establishments to have their own task force or department to ensure regular enforcement of health protocols and other rules related to pandemic control.

It was one of the contents of Rama’s directive on the same month which he described as “Oplan Bottoms Up”.

The mayor said that even though the restrictions have been lifted by the orders he had issued, it is still not appropriate to be complacent. — FPL (FREEMAN)