The province of Negros Oriental has reiterated its denial of entry or departure to locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from and to Cebu City and Talisay City amid the rising number of cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the two areas.

On Thursday, a number of individuals were reported to have arrived at the Bato wharf in Samboan, Cebu province but were not granted authority to take the barge across Tañon Strait to Tampi, Amlan in Negros Oriental.

These individuals claimed to be LSIs who had secured a travel authority and medical certificate of good health, two requirements that were to be presented during their return to the province previously when the ban was not in effect.

Adrian Sedillo, executive director of the provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), on Thursday, said it is unfortunate that they are now covered by the latest prohibition, which is in accordance with national guidelines on the temporary ban on the entry of LSIs to and from these two cities.

“As mandated by the memorandum of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, LSIs coming to and from these cities are not allowed to travel,” he said.

Sedillo said the temporary ban on LSIs from the cities of Cebu and Talisay took effect early this week to curb the further spread of the new coronavirus that has caused an alarming spike in both cities.

A “total lockdown” of 12 barangays in Cebu City has been imposed, media reports say.

The Philippine National Police has directed the police stations to temporarily suspend the issuance of travel authority for LSIs bound for or departing from Cebu City and Talisay City, which are now tagged as Covid-19 “hotspots” by authorities.

Prior to the ban, the provincial government has received thousands of returning residents already, including LSIs, overseas Filipino workers, and returning overseas Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Sedillo said the entry of LSIs from other places still continues, subject to and in accordance with national government guidelines and protocols. (PNA)