Environment Sec Cimatu to lead Cebu City's COVID-19 response

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has been appointed by President Duterte to lead the COVID-19 response in Cebu City.

He has been granted broad powers to curb the rise in cases, which have now surpassed 4,000.

Cimatu is authorized to exercise all powers necessary to slow the spread of the virus and is tasked with managing the number of new cases.

The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 leadership fully supports Cimatu's designation, stating it is proof of President Duterte's care for Cebu.

Cimatu will assess the situation on the ground, implement necessary actions within a week, and provide regular updates to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Cebu City was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to allow health capacities to catch up with the rising number of positive cases.

Localized, focused, or zoning lockdowns can be implemented in areas of concern.

All quarantine passes have been suspended in the city, and only authorized persons outside residence (APOR) and essential workers were allowed on the streets.