The town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar province has extended its lockdown until September 4 to trace more contacts of two confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) carriers.
This after the town recorded a new case of Covid-19, the region’s patient no. 3050 as reported by the Department of Health on Tuesday night.
The contact tracing for those who interacted with the region’s patient no. 2871 is ongoing.
At least 100 persons have been identified as close contacts by local authorities, Mayor Annaliz Gonzales-Kwan said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under Executive Order No. 09-01-026 signed late Tuesday, Kwan imposed the movement restriction for another 72 hours for disease surveillance and contact tracing of possible contact of a new positive case.
The local government initially enforced the three-day lockdown on August 30 to trace the contacts of patient no. 2871.
With the lockdown, travel to the town temporarily prohibited travel except for health and emergency frontline service personnel, delivery of essential goods and services, and persons traveling for medical reasons but they are subject to strict compliance with minimum health standard protocols.
Residents who will travel to Tacloban City will be subject to 14-day quarantine upon their return.
Border control checkpoints are also implemented to curb Covid-19 transmission.
Those who are permitted to go in and out of the town will present an updated health certificate and travel pass.
Residents were told to observe strict home quarantine. Movement is only allowed for residents who will be accessing essential goods and services.
Curfew is also imposed on residents who are below 21 years old and above 60 years old, including pregnant women, and those considered as high risk such as sickly persons.
The directive also suspends mass gatherings such as sporting events, entertainment activities, large parties, assemblies, and religious gatherings.
Business establishments such as hotels, restaurants are also prohibited to operate until September 5, except for those who are accommodating locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipino workers.
Drug stores, groceries, and markets are allowed to continue their operation provided that they will observe physical distancing and require wearing of face masks.
Guiuan has already recorded four Covid-19 cases, including two recoveries. (PNA)
