The provincial government of La Union extended the general community quarantine (GCQ) status of this city from September 23 to October 7 due to the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases here.
In Executive Order (EO) No. 140 made public on Thursday, Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto said San Fernando City recorded 822 active cases, bringing to 4,189 confirmed cases as of September 22.
Gualberto said there was also an increased number of health and government workers being infected which consists of 44.19 percent of the total active cases, increased number of deaths to 27, and 48 barangays have still active cases comprising 81.30 percent of the total number of barangays in the city.
“Due to the increase of Covid-19 cases and clustering of infections, some areas of barangays Pagdaraoan, Bato, Cabarsican, Dalumpinas Oeste, and Poro have been placed under granular lockdown and considered as critical zones,” he said.
Gualberto also issued guidelines for the implementation of the GCQ status in the same EO.
“Strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households. Any person below 18 years old, those above 65 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, should remain in their residences at all times, except for obtaining goods or services or for work in permitted industries and offices, or such other activities permitted under these guidelines,” the EO stated.
The movement for leisure is not allowed, it added.
While some establishments offering essential services and goods remain open at full capacity, food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, are allowed to operate provided they shall strictly follow the seating capacity specified in the guidelines of the Department of Trade and Industry.
“Dine-in services at 20 percent, al fresco dining at 50 percent, delivery and take-out services at 100 percent,” it said.
Gualberto said employers of business establishments or enterprises that are allowed to open are encouraged to provide housing facilities for their employees not residing in the city.
He added private hospitals and other health facilities are encouraged to provide a staff house for their health service providers who are not domiciled in the city.
Entertainment venues with live performers, recreational venues, amusement parks or theme parks, casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments, except as may be authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force or the Office of the President for the purpose of raising revenue for the government, are prohibited to operate.
Gatherings outside or inside of residences with any person outside of one’s immediate household are prohibited, except those that are essential for the provision of health services, government services, or humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government.
Religious gatherings are allowed at 30-percent venue capacity.
“Activities such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, surfing, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, diving, and skateboarding are allowed provided that minimum health standards are observed,” the EO stated.
Source: Philippines News Agency
