LUCENA CITY -- Residents of Barangay Cotta, one the large villages here, were surprised to learn Thursday morning that their locality is now under a total lockdown.
Police personnel in complete camouflage uniform were manning the checkpoints, strictly implementing the lockdown imposed by the city government. No one was allowed to enter nor leave the barangay except the front-liners and those tasked to deliver essential commodities and services.
Even holders of quarantine passes were prohibited from going out of their homes. The city's rolling store was also not allowed to enter the village.
Annalu Alcala, chairperson of Barangay Cotta, appealed to police officers who eventually allowed those who need to buy medicines and other necessities to go out in the streets.
Lt. Col. Romulo Albacea, Lucena Police chief, said in a phone interview that this is in accordance with the national policy on village lockdown for localities with a confirmed Covid-19 case to curtail further spread of infection.
He said they are encouraging front-liners who live in Barangay Cotta but work outside the village to temporarily seek shelter in facilities provided by the provincial government.
The provincial government tapped two hotels here as temporary living quarters for medical front-liners, complete with aircon and wi-fi.
Albacea said they already pulled out 12 individuals who had direct contact with the Covid-19 patient in Barangay Cotta and they are now in the province's quarantine areas.
Residents of the locked down barangay will be sent food packs from the city government while under total lockdown status.
Meanwhile, the Integrated Provincial Health Office, through the Quezon Public Information Office, said there is now a total of 10 positive Covid-19 cases in the province.
A confirmed case from Unisan town has been added as of Thursday noon.
The 10 Covid-19 patients are now in stable condition and admitted in a health facility. (PNA)