The town of Palompon in Leyte will be closed to non-residents from Dec. 2 to 3 to prevent mass gatherings as it celebrates the annual fiesta.

Receptions are allowed only for residents and immediate family members within the community, observing the minimum health standards to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Mayor Georgina Arevalo said in a social media post on Wednesday.

Exempted in the travel ban are health workers, civil servants, media, public utilities, rescue, and peace and order personnel, and persons residing outside the town in need of immediate medical attention and other emergencies.

“To ensure the strict implementation of the community lockdown, checkpoints will be established in all entry points. The Coast Guard and Bantay Dagat have been ordered to monitor the coastal areas,” Arevalo said.

The town will celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier on Dec. 3.

The local government will issue access passes to non-residents but working in the town, resident access pass to residents who have a personal business outside the “poblacion” (town) area, and a transit pass for all persons bound for other destinations traversing the town.

Arevalo said drinking alcoholic beverages outside the residence is strictly prohibited to ensure peaceful fiesta celebration, while all religious events must follow the guidelines for modified general community quarantine.

“Participants of novena, pontifical vigil and mass must register first before the events for documentation and monitoring to be used during contact tracing,” she added.

As of Nov. 18, the town has a total of 36 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 33 recoveries and zero death, based on the monitoring of its rural health office. (PNA)