Calbayog City in Samar has been distributing relief goods to families affected by lockdown due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Since the tighter movement restrictions were imposed in areas identified within the critical zone last week, the city government has already served 1,825 households in Dagum village, 1,329 in Hamorawon, 884 in Carmen, 262 in Central, and 1,114 in Payahan.

Each household received five kilos of rice and three kilos of fish or two dressed chickens, said Mayor Ronald Aquino in a statement on Wednesday.

“The distribution of food assistance, through our relief operations center personnel, is still ongoing. We have to implement such measures to reduce the community or local transmission by restricting the movement of individuals and focus our efforts in contact tracing, expanded coronavirus testing, and disease surveillance and rapid risk assessment,” he added.

Other areas under lockdown, which took effect on Oct. 10 and will be enforced until Oct. 23, are Balud, East Awang, West Awang, Aguit-itan, Rawis, Bagacay, Obrero, Carmen, San Policarpio, Capoocan, Matobato, and Nijaga.

These communities located in the city proper have clustering of Covid-19 cases, or have at least three cases for the past weeks, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The city so far has 336 cases, including 98 recoveries and two deaths. These include 16 new cases reported Tuesday night.

Aquino said residents in locked down areas are prohibited to go out except for health workers, security and safety personnel, authorized government officials, and workers in essential establishments performing official functions, village officials, and members of the inter-agency task force.

“Those who will get out from these areas will be quarantined in designated government facilities for 14 days,” he added.

Meanwhile, non-residents, even employees, will not be allowed entry within the critical zone except for medical emergencies and other urgent cases. (PNA)