CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella ordered the temporary suspension on the use of quarantine passes for attendees of the Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo.
The suspension does not necessarily mean that Cebuanos are now free to go out of their homes as they please, said Councilor Dave Tumulak.
Tumulak warned against abuses that may result from the suspension on the use of Q passes here.
“With quarantine passes suspended, we strongly urge the public to only go out of their houses for essential trips,” Tumulak said in Cebuano.
Tumulak issued the reminder after city officials observed that more people are now visiting commercial establishments, such as malls, to do their Christmas shopping.
“We saw more people crowding malls and other commercial establishments. But we’re asking everyone to only go out for essentials otherwise we might be celebrating the Christmas inside isolation centers,” he added.
He said that the suspension of Qpasses was made to accommodate those who will be attending the Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo.
There are at least 35 churches in the city wherein these Masses will be held.
READ:Quarantine passes not needed to attend Misa De Gallo in Cebu City
The city government has allowed Simbang Gabi and Misa De Gallo despite threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, but subject to several conditions.
These include the need to observe minimum health standards such as imposing an age limit on Mass attendees, requiring them to wear face masks and face shields, and capping their number to a maximum of 50 percent of the venue’s capacity. / dcb