EXTENDED RESTRICTIONS. Barricades are set up at the Tacloban public market to promote social distancing. Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Wednesday (April 8, 2020) announced that the restrictive community quarantine implemented to fight Covid-19 would be extended until April 30. (Photo courtesy of City Information Office)

TACLOBAN CITY – The city government here announced on Wednesday the extension of restrictive community quarantine until April 30 to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“We are also moving it, just like in Luzon. If we open our borders earlier than any other region, then people will come here and crowd the city again. That’s the problem,” Mayor Alfred Romualdez told reporters.

The city has yet to come up with an executive order regarding the extension as key local officials review existing policies and other enforced quarantine measures.

The directive placing the city under enhanced community quarantine took effect on March 21 and was supposed to end on April 12.

It aims to restrict the movement of people considering that the city is the region’s top commercial district and home to about 250,000 people.

Upon its effectivity, all land, sea, and air travel of persons to and from the city are prohibited, except health workers, persons availing of emergency medical services, national government workers, and goods delivery service providers.

Only public transportation within the city was allowed to operate, provided that they only transport passengers at half the capacity to observe social distancing.

The directive has also suspended classes in all levels here and the operation of non-essential business establishments.

“I am addressing all the people of Tacloban to understand and cooperate. We are just exercising caution. We always review our policies and make necessary changes because we do not want to add further burden to the people,” Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, the city remains free of the virus, according to the Department of Health.

As of April 8, the city has 18 patients under investigation and 38 persons under monitoring. (PNA)