The local government of St. Bernard in Southern Leyte has reduced the quarantine period for asymptomatic returning residents from 14 to 10 days.

Mayor Manuel Calapre on Wednesday issued Executive Order No. 9 adopting Memorandum No. 2020-0439 of the Department of Health (DOH) that allows the release of individuals after 10 days of quarantine with no symptoms.

The directive covering returning overseas Filipinos (ROF) and locally stranded individuals (LSI) will take effect until revoked and amended, he said.

“The local inter-agency task force on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) agreed to adopt the 10-day period rule to reduce the prolonged anxiety of returning residents,” Calapre said.

This would also address the increased volume of ROFs and LSIs in quarantine facilities this holiday season, he added.

As of Dec. 7, the town has confirmed a total of seven cases, including six recoveries and zero death, based on the monitoring report of the local government.

They are also monitoring 200 persons under quarantine. (PNA)