Gomez orders closure of Ormoc’s borders

TACLOBAN CITY — Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez has issued an executive order closing the city's borders due to the sudden spike of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

As of Thursday, December 17, the mayor said the city has 98 COVID-19 active cases, the highest so far since the city government was ordered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to relax its containment areas for authorized persons outside of residence (APORS).

"I'm left with no choice but to protect our people here in Ormoc City, and to protect the people coming into the city for them not to be infected because I don't want that when you visit Ormoc, your families will also be infected," the mayor said.

Only APORs, health and emergency service personnel, government officials, authorized humanitarian assistance, people going to the airport and seaport for travel two hours before their departure, patients with doctor's appointment, persons crossing zones for work, and returning residents will be allowed to enter the city.

According to the mayor, the APORs are one of their biggest problems with their border control. "Most of them (APORs) are feeling entitled. They write to the DILG. They write to the IATF. See what happened because you are feeling entitled, especially the APORs from the government. The APORs from the business sector follow our laws here in Ormoc," he said.

Gomez also informed the six mayors of the fourth district of Leyte that the border pass they issued will be temporarily canceled until such time that they will be allowed to reenter the city.

Mass gatherings are discouraged, while establishments such as restaurants will only be allowed 50 percent of their seating capacity. Christmas parties in public and private offices wherever held will not be allowed.

However, family gatherings in residences may be allowed limited to the same persons living in the same household indoors, if outdoors or open-air, in no case shall they exceed 30 persons.

Gomez ordered the barangay officials to monitor the conduct of such activities in their areas of jurisdiction.