TIGHTER MONITORING. Local workers check persons coming from Luzon at a checkpoint near the boundary of Northern Samar and Samar provinces on March 14, 2020. The Samar provincial government followed other local government units in Eastern Visayas in declaring quarantine measures to prevent the entry of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province. (Photo courtesy of Samar Governor Michael Tan)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Samar provincial government followed other local government units in Eastern Visayas in declaring quarantine measures to prevent the entry of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province.
The quarantine period started on Thursday and will end on April 15, 2020, but this may be shortened or extended depending on the recommendation of the provincial inter-agency task force on Covid-19.
Samar Governor Reynolds Michael Tan issued Executive Order no 17 on Wednesday declaring general community quarantine and further enhancing the implementation of mandatory precautionary measures against Covid-19.
Under the directive, residents are restricted to travel during the span of the quarantine.
“Those who will be allowed to travel are residents in the province, those accessing basic necessities such as groceries and similar items, those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons provided that they have and can present proper documents, and health workers, authorized government officials and those providing basic services and public utilities, and those who are reporting from their respective workplace,” Tan said in a statement.
Travel to Samar province for non-residents is not allowed.
To enforce the order, the government directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, provincial health office, provincial disaster risk reduction and management office in coordination with local government units to put up checkpoints at the borders of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.
Coastal towns are also instructed not to allow docking of any motorboats and vessels coming from other provinces.
School administrators are also instructed to do disinfecting protocols in their respective schools while the province is under quarantine.
The provincial government also suspended work in government offices, except for those that are necessary during the quarantine. Those with work, however, is mandated to follow the four-day workweek.
The provincial government also ordered towns to declare temporary closure of non-essential establishments.
The local governments are also directed to implement curfew in coordination with the Philippine National Police.
The directive urges residents to comply with the social distancing policy at all times and prohibited all social and religious gathering including meetings.
The provincial government also ordered the provincial health office to refer all Covid-19 suspected patients to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center for proper monitoring and treatment.
Earlier, the Catbalogan City government through Mayor Dexter Uy also issued a similar order.
Uy asked all transport vehicles to follow social distancing by only allowing half of the passenger capacity in their vehicles.
Vehicles entering the city are subjected to screening and registration. Those carrying supplies and goods and products will be allowed to enter provided they present proof of delivery or vouchers showing the place of delivery in Catbalogan.
Workers living outside the city, whose workplace remains in operation, will present a certificate of employment or identification card. The same also applies to residents of the city who work outside Catbalogan.
Medical emergencies must provide proof of referral slip from the local health center at the checkpoint.
Residents of the city who are returning from other places are considered a person under monitoring and required to report to their barangay (village) health emergency response team and undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Passengers with symptoms will be isolated and will be ordered to return to their community of origin.
Uy also asked each village to set up checkpoints in the entrance and exit of their communities to restrict the movements of residents.
The city government also imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for minors and 9 p.m.to 5 a.m. for residents 18 years old and above.
Those who will be affected by the curfew will have to present their certification of employment with stated working hours or proof of employment or business operation to be exempted.
The city also imposes a liquor ban during the duration of the quarantine.
Establishments in Catbalogan that are allowed to operate are those selling basic commodities, food and essential services, groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies and other establishments selling basic necessities and prime commodities provided that they observe proper distancing and limit the purchase of their clients. (PNA)
