NUEVA VALENCIA, Guimaras – Mayor Emmanuel Galila extended the lockdown in Barangay Salvacion to Aug. 31. It should have ended on Aug. 22.
He cited the continuing surge in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The lockdown was imposed beginning Aug. 15.
As of Aug. 20, Nueva Valencia had 132 active cases of COVID-19. Of these cases, 76 were from Barangay Salvacion.
Executive Order No. 37 extending the lockdown refrains Barangay Salvacion residents from unnecessary travel until the COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and sanitation process have been completed.
Also, 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.
As of Aug . 20, Nueva Valencia had 132 active COVID-19 cases in barangays Salvacion (76), Lucmayan (15), Igdarapdap (14), Lanipe (six), Cabalagnan (five), Pandaraonan (four), Poblacion (four), La Paz (one), Igang (two), Magamay (two), Canhawan (one), Concordia Sur (one), and San Roque (two)./PN
