Palompon town in Leyte will impose a community lockdown on Christmas and New Year’s Day to control the movement of people amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Mayor Myra Georgina Arevalo signed Executive Order No. 82 on Dec. 21, a copy of which was released on Tuesday night, prohibiting entry of non-residents on Dec. 24 to 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 as people are expected to gather for reunions and other similar activities on these dates.

“Despite interventions and the implementation of stricter measures, the threat of Covid-19 remains high and alarming. Under this circumstance, the exercise of due diligence is provident to prevent the spread of the virus,” Arevalo said in a statement.

Household gatherings must be limited to a maximum of 10 persons and may exceed for immediate family members only, no outsiders, she added.

Exempted in the travel ban are Covid-19 responders, medical, rescue, public utility, peace and order personnel, civil servants, media, and those who need medical attention and other emergencies.

Government services must be unhampered, including the entry of food items and other essential goods, however, only a driver and a helper would be allowed.

Catering services from other towns and cities are also prohibited to enter.

The local government said existing checkpoints located in the villages of Badiang, Lomonon, Liberty, Mabini, and Tabunok, will remain in place.

As of Dec. 17, the town recorded a total of 53 Covid-19 cases, including 39 recoveries and zero death, based on the monitoring report of its rural health office. (PNA)