South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. (PNA-GenSan file photo)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – South Cotabato province has reverted to the stricter general community quarantine (GCQ) and has restricted movement on its borders for at least a month, effective Saturday, as it grapples with rising coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. issued the fresh restrictions late Friday through Executive Order (EO) 21 as he noted that the worsening threat from the disease and its variants has “started wreaking havoc” on local health care systems and front-line health workers.
He said the number of infections in the province’s 10 towns and one city has soared in the past several weeks, mainly due to the easing of restrictions on the movement of people within the province and Region 12 (Soccsksargen).
A report released by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that a total of 539 Covid-19 cases were detected in the province in April, way higher than the 323 recorded during the initial surge in September last year.
As of Friday night, the province posted 346 active cases or about 50 percent of the 688 in the region.
The confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province since last year have reached 2,276, with 56 deaths and 1,874 recoveries.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen and intensify the province’s efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19 to ensure that every South Cotabateño is amply protected from (its) dreaded effects,” Tamayo said.
He said the imposition of the stricter quarantine measures was supported by the South Cotabato Medical Society, Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19, and local government units (LGUs).
Under EO 21, entry and movement on the province’s borders from May 1 to 31 will be limited to essential purposes, especially in accessing goods and services from permitted establishments, and for work and related activities.
Residents aged less than 18 years and more than 65 years, especially those vulnerable and with comorbidities, should remain in their houses at all times, except for obtaining essential goods and services and for work.
Religious gatherings and other essential activities are allowed up to 30 percent capacity of the venue, which may be increased to 50 percent by concerned LGUs.
Non-essential movement by residents is prohibited during the mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Businesses and public transportation will continue to operate at full capacity, with the strict observance of the minimum health standards.
The operation of entertainment and recreational venues, amusement parks, and gaming establishments is prohibited during the GCQ period. These include Internet cafes, billiard halls, bowling alleys, cockpits, karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, and cinemas.
Meanwhile, the city government of Koronadal placed two of its barangays under modified enhanced community quarantine for 14 days due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Mayor Eliordo Ogena said residents of barangays Sta. Cruz and Gen. Paulino Santos would observe strict home quarantine from May 1 to 14.
Ogena said the move was due to the alarming number of infections, with Sta. Cruz logging 45 and Gen. Paulino Santos, 29 as of Friday.
“All drinking establishments will be closed down. There will still be movements and some activities would be allowed but at limited capacity,” he said in his weekly radio program.
As of Friday night, the IPHO report showed that Koronadal City has 172 active cases, which is about 50 percent of the 346 in South Cotabato and the highest among cities and municipalities in Soccsksargen. (PNA)
