NUEVA VALENCIA, Guimaras – Barangay Salvacion here is on a seven-day lockdown. It commenced on Aug. 15.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections are rising in the barangay, according to Mayor Emmanuel Galila.
As of Aug. 14, Baragay Salvacion had 47 active COVID-19 cases – nearly half of Nueva Valencia’s 108 active cases.
Just this Aug. 11, Galila placed several sitios in Barangay Salvacion on “surgical lockdown” but this appeared not effective in containing the COVID-19’s spread.
Executive Order No. 35 placing Barangay Salvacion on lockdown set its last day on Aug. 22 at 11:59 a.m.
During the lockdown period, the following must be observed:
* refrain from unnecessary travel until the COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and sanitation process have been completed
* only Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) and those that need immediate medical attention shall be allowed to leave and/or enter the barangay
* only the following shall be considered as APOR — municipal and barangay COVID-19 task force members; authorized municipal and barangay officials and personnel; provincial and municipal health office personnel and other authorized personnel of the provincial government; Department of Health personnel; members of the Philippine National Police; healthcare workers; personnel assigned in the provision and distribution of goods
Galila also clarified that “the barangay may authorize a family member to leave the household for the sole purpose of accessing to basic/essential goods or commodities.”
Only essential business establishments shall be allowed to operate such as markets, groceries, convenience stores, pharmacies, gasoline stations, water refilling stations, and food establishments, but no dine-ins shall be allowed in food establishments.
Also, the operating hours of essential businesses shall be from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.
Galila also ordered the Municipal Health Office, COVID-19 Task Force and Barangay Emergency Response Team (BHERT) to conduct contact tracing and the testing of these contacts.
The local government unit will augment the needs of indigent residents during the duration of the lockdown.
Galila also ordered border control checkpoints in Barangay Salvacion, and a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m./PN
