PATNONGON, Antique – To prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Mayor Evohn Nee Baldestamon implemented a more strict measures to be followed by 36 barangays in the town of Patnongon.
Last Monday, January 17, Baldestamon issued Executive Order Number 003 or An executive order adopting executive order number 001-A of the Provincial Governor of Antique relative to the implementation of Alert Level System 3 for COVID-19 response in the municipality of Patnongon, Antique.
“While COVID-19 cases in the Province of Antique rapidly increase, there is an urgent need for stringent policy to provide safety measures to prevent the further spread of infection in the locality,” stated Baldestamon EO No. 003.
Here is the stringent policy implemented in the town of Patnongon.
* The thirty-six (36) barangays of the Municipality of Patnongon are hereby enjoined to strengthen surveillance/case identification, contact tracing, testing, management, and reintegration based on the Revised Interim Guidelines on Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and reintegration Strategies for COVID-19 and Interim Guidelines on Routine Biosurveillance for SARS-COV- 2 and Management of Cases with Identified variants of concerned. All Suspects, probable and confirmed cases shall be isolated in the appropriate facility depending on the severity of symptoms. Proper clinical and exposure assessment shall be the basis for quarantine and isolation of close contacts.
* Punong Barangays shall activate their Barangay Contact Tracing Teams to assist the LGU Contact Traces and the Municipal Contact Tracing Team in the continuous identification of close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases in their respective barangays in consonance with the rules issued by the Department of Health, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National IATF.
* Intrazonal and Interzonal movement shall be allowed, subject to the restriction imposed by the provincial government of Antique. Provided, that those below eighteen years of age and those belonging to the vulnerable population shall be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices following existing labor laws, rules, and regulations.
* Local government offices and agencies based in the LGU shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least 60 percent on-site capacity while applying work-from-home arrangements, to minimize contact and prevent additional contamination of COVID-19.
* Due to the threat of COVID-19 Omicron variant, flag-raising ceremony every Monday shall only be attended by the sponsoring office/agency.
* The general public transacting at the offices in the LGU shall likewise adhere to the policy. They are advised to present their vaccination card to the person in charge at the front desk or entrance of the Municipal hall or concerned office.
* The maximum load capacity of Public Utility Vehicles within the municipality shall be at seventy percent.
* Liquor ban is lifted. Drinking in public places is allowed until 11:00 p.m.
* Curfew is from 12:00 midnight until 4:00 am. APOR, night shift essential workers, persons with medical needs or emergencies, and persons availing of urgent legal aid are exempted from the curfew.
As of January 18, Patnongon had 10 positive cases of COVID-19./PN
