EOC: Cebu City 'far from ready' for new normal

Amid entire Cebu's MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine) status, deputy chief implementer at the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Councilor Joel Garganera said the city is not yet qualified to transition into the new normal.

“We’ve come a long way and so far we’re doing okay but we’re far from being ready for the new normal,” Garganera stated.

Authorities say that there can only be a new normal when we are no longer under community quarantine.

“New normal? When we don’t need to call out and remind others to observe the basic health protocols, when we don’t need the presence of a police or authorities for us to be compliant only then we’re ready for a new normal,” Garganera added.

Cebu City ended the month of October with only six COVID-19 related deaths, the lowest deaths logged in a month.

As of November 1, the Department of Health-7 (DOH-7) recorded a total of 10,266 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 9,434 were recoveries while 678 were deaths.

Words by Lalaine Vergara & Lorille Antoinette Mata Layout by Kiziah Magbanua