CLOSED BORDERS. A nurse checks the body temperature while a personnel of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines sprays alcohol on the hand of a passenger bound for Jolo, Sulu on Monday (March 16, 2020) at the Zamboanga International Airport. Effective Monday midnight, land, air and sea travel is suspended as precautionary measure. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Amaga)
ZAMBOANGA CITY — This city is closing its borders effective Monday midnight to protect residents from the possible entry and spread of the dreaded 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
This, as Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar issued Executive Order No. BC-552-2020 dated March 14 entitled "An act strengthening the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Zamboanga City".
Under the said order, all incoming land, air, and sea transport are suspended until further notice.
The travel suspension does not, however, affect movement of goods, supplies and outgoing passenger trips.
Salazar’s order said all passenger vessels, except cargo ships, especially those coming from Malaysia are prohibited entry in the local port and finger wharves.
It said that cargoes of these vessels are allowed to unload but the officers and crew are prohibited from disembarking effective midnight Monday until April 15, 2020.
“All non-conventional vessels are strictly prohibited from docking and unloading their passengers and cargoes in all seaports, wharves and other points of entry in this city,” said Salazar, who chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19.
The order includes the cancellation of all public and private mass gatherings, among others, but not limited to public parks and gardens, government facilities, barangay halls, community centers, private establishments such as hotels and restaurants, concerts, beaches, resorts, places of worships, general assemblies, cockfighting, moving up ceremonies and graduations.
“Religious and social gatherings must observe strict preventive measures like social distancing and practice of hand sanitation and hygiene,” the order said.
Classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, including madrasahs, are suspended while jail visitations are canceled except bringing of food but limited up to the gate.
Malls, shopping centers, hotels and restaurants should establish sanitation zones and mandatory temperature checks should be implemented at the entrance of their establishments.
“All persons who will violate this Executive Order may be subjected to criminal or administrative prosecution if warranted under existing laws,” the order stated. (PNA)
