AID. The Relief and Rescue Operations group of Sison, Pangasinan distributes food packs to residents under granular lockdown on Aug. 21, 2021. Sison and Pozorrubio are under modified enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9 to curb rising Covid-19 cases. (Photo courtesy of Local Government of Sison Facebook)
POZORRUBIO, Pangasinan – The towns of Pozorrubio and Sison in Pangasinan are under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until Sept. 9 to curb increasing Covid-19 cases, as approved by the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF).
In a radio interview on Friday, Governor Amado Espino III confirmed that the PIATF allows local chief executives to decide on the measures.
“We are balancing economy and the welfare of the residents. Some local government units requested for higher quarantine classification while others just want to impose granular lockdowns,” he said.
The local IATF reported that as of Aug. 26, the town still has 104 active Covid-19 cases and nearly half of its 34 villages are critical zones.
Of Sison’s 28 villages, 25 percent have rising cases while it has 100 active infections as of Aug. 23.
“Huwag po tayong mag-panic sapagkat hindi po totoo ang kumakalat na balitang lockdown ang ating bayan. Itinaas lamang sa mas mahigpit na community quarantine upang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng virus (Do not panic. We are not under lockdown. We just raised our community quarantine status to prevent the spread of the virus),” Sison’s Facebook advisory read.
Under the omnibus guidelines on MECQ, those below 18 years old and over 65, with immunodeficiency and other health risks, or pregnant, are required to remain in their residences except when obtaining essential goods and services or for work in industries or offices permitted to operate.
Entertainment venues, recreational venues, amusement parks, indoor sports courts or venues, fitness studios, gyms, spas, casinos, outdoor tourist attractions, among others, are not allowed to operate.
Gatherings outside or immediately outside residences are prohibited except for those for health, government, and other humanitarian services. (PNA)
