SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – As the province awaits the announcement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for its new classification, leaders here are expecting it would be downgraded to a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) low-risk.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao on Thursday said they are looking forward to the approval of her recommendation that was also supported by the provincial officials, the Antique Inter-Agency Task Force on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) Antique Chapter in a meeting held at the Binirayan Gymnasium.
“The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office 6 called me up yesterday (Wednesday) if what would be my recommendation and I said MGCQ low-risk,” she said in an interview after the meeting.
She said the province is currently under MGCQ medium- risk but it can be downgraded to low-risk because it only has five active confirmed Covid-19 cases.
The governor does not want the province to be placed under the new normal because people might take for granted the strict observance of the minimum health protocols such as the wearing of face mask, frequent handwashing, and safe physical distancing.
Cadiao said under the MGCQ low-risk, the observance of the curfew will still be strictly implemented from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“There will still be curfew until after July 31 so that people will have to be home early,” she said.
She also said that locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Negros Occidental will also be required to undergo the 14 days mandatory quarantine when they arrive in Antique.
“Negros Occidental province is not yet part of the One Panay Community Quarantine,” she said.
She said that the One Panay Community Quarantine is only composed of Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras where people could travel within these provinces without being required to undergo the quarantine.
LSIs coming from Negros Occidental and other provinces not under the One Panay Community Quarantine will have to subject themselves to quarantine. (PNA)