The provincial government here has imposed stricter border control to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The provincial government, through Executive Order No. 19 – 2020 issued Tuesday night by Governor Dennis Pineda, will regulate the movement of persons to, from, and within the province.

The governor said the province is not yet ready to go back to a “normal” phase as long as there are still new cases being reported daily.

“Hangga’t wala pa tayong hawak na vaccine, maghihigpit pa rin tayo (As long as we don’t have a vaccine yet, we will still be strict),” he said in a video interview.

Pineda ordered the Pampanga Police Provincial Office to strictly implement the border management and control and non-residents would only be allowed to enter the province for work and other essential purposes.

He advised Kapampangan workers in Metro Manila to register with their respective villages so that the barangay officials would be able to determine the individuals going in and out of the province.

“Hindi naman sa dinidiscriminate namin kayo, nag-iingat lang tayo para sa kapakanan ng lahat (We are not discriminating you. We are just being cautious for the welfare of all),” he said.

Pineda urged the barangay officials to strictly monitor the people going in and out of their areas.

“If it is not for necessary purposes, do not go out. Hihigpitan na natin ang barangay level, at kung wala pa ring pagbabago matapos ang labing-limang araw, itataas natin ang paghihigpit sa municipal level (We will be strict at the barangay level. If nothing happens after 15 days, we will level up our restrictions to the municipal level),” he said.

The governor said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now drafting an ordinance that will require Kapampangan workers in Metro Manila to present a Covid-19 swab test result before entering the province.

Moreover, he asked the help and cooperation of the local chief executives in the contact-tracing and isolation of the suspected carriers of the virus.

The governor said the provincial government is willing to train the medical personnel who will be deployed at different isolation areas in each city and municipality.

On Tuesday, seven new confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported in the province, bringing the total number of cases to 336.

The number of those who recovered from the dreaded disease is 173 while the death tally remains at 18. (PNA)