The entire province of iloilo has been placed under lockdown to prevent the entry of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Friday, March 20, signed an executive order (EO) “enforcing an enhanced community quarantine” over the province until April 14, 2020.
“Tatlo lang kabagay ginapangabay ko sa aton mga pumuluyo: magpaumod, magpasensya, kag magpahimunong. Kahapos lang man ini himuon,” he said.
“Para man ni sa tanan. Wala ni namon ginahimo para mangharass sang tawo kag pabudlayan ang pangabuhi ninyo. Amo man lang ni aton panagang para indi kita masudlan sang COVID-19,” Defensor further said.
Under the EO, residents are ordered to observe “strict home quarantine.” “The movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and health needs.”
A province-wide curfew will be implemented starting March 21.People of all ages are prohibited from going out in public places from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Defensor Jr. said jeepneys are still allowed to operate in the province subject to guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH) on social distancing.
A liquor ban will also be implemented. “The selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing and transporting of alcoholic beverages, such as, whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, cocktail, wine, champagne, beer, and such other intoxicating drinks, shall be prohibited.”
All establishments in the province are directed to suspend their operations.
Only those that provide food/water and other related necessities, medical services, financial services, transportation, power, enegry, water, telecommunications and cargo handling are allowed to continue their operations.
Also exempted are factories, plants engaged in the manufacturing/processing/storage of basic food products and health needs, media companies, business process outsourcing BPO and Knowledge Process Outsourcing KPO firms.
Yesterday, March 19, Mayor Jerry P. Trenas also placed the whole of Iloilo City under “enhanced community quarantine.”
The move aims to protect the city against the dreaded disease, which already infected 230 people and killed 18 in the country.IMT
