ROXAS City – The provincial government of Capiz have imposed a curfew and travel restrictions in a bid to prevent the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco, chief of the Asst. Hospital Management, said the imposition of the curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. was aimed at restricting the unnecessary interaction of people in public to avoid infection or spread of the disease.
Nolasco cited the Executive Order 11 series of 2020 signed by Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras that enforces strict quarantine procedures and restricting entry in the province. The order took effect around 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.
“Travel restriction covers all persons coming in and out of the province including residents of the province,” Nolasco told Panay News.
The restriction of the entry of people will exempt government officials and employees, national or local, travelling in the performance/pursuit provided they will present their official and valid identification card issued by their respective agencies and instrumentalities and a duly approved travel order detailing the purpose of their travel, the guidelines indicated.
Persons who are working in Capiz but not a resident of the province may be allowed provided they present a valid identification card and a certification from employer, while medical personnel and health workers, humanitarian workers performing functions in relation to COVID-19 in the province are likewise exempted from the travel restrictions provided they present their valid agency or organization ID and current mission order detailing their activities to do in the province.
Also exempted from travel restrictions are patients vailing chemotherapy and hemodialysis in the province provided that they present a health certification from their attending physicians and a valid referral. Patients, under the guidelines, are allowed to have one companion and a driver provided they present valid ID, driver’s license and health certification duly issued by a health practitioner.
All traders of goods, on the other hand, may be allowed provided they present valid (certified true copy) DTI permit/Mayor’s permit indicating their line of business and delivery receipts as proof.
Nolasco said the entry of common carriers of essential goods and medical supplies shall be allowed provided they present a valid (certified true copy) DTI Permit/Mayor’s permit indicating their line of business that proof of delivery is presented.
“The travel and conveyance of passengers within the province will be unhampered unless the LGU has imposed community quarantine or enhanced community quarantine disallowing entry,” Nolasco said.
The boarder control will be conducted on a 24/7 checkpoints to be undertaken by the Philippine National Police and to be aided by the Provincial and Municipal Health personnel.
All entering individuals are required to undergo mandatory thermal scanning and temperature check and to submit medical certificate showing no signs or symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing, or physically fit at the moment duly issued by the doctor, public or private practitioner.
“Entering individuals will be also required to submit health declaration from prescribed by the Provincial Health Office and violators will be penalized under Quarantine Act of 2004,” Nolasco added.
Checkpoints will be carried out along the boundaries situated in the municipalities of Pilar, Tapaz, Jamindan, Dumarao and Sapian.
The executive order also covers curfew hours in all ages from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. which already took effect Thursday in the entire province.
“During the curfew hours all persons are not allowed to go out except law enforcers with specific mission orders, persons of authority who are performing their duties and functions such as elected local official provided they show their identification and mission order,” Nolasco said.
Persons on emergency health situations that needs medical attention, government and private employees, including health workers whose time of work are within the curfew hours provided they will show their identification and a certification from their respective agency or employer are also exempted.
Those working in the BPO’s provided they can show proof of duty or duty hours are also exempted, the guidelines said.
“Maximum tolerance, by sending violators home, shall be observed by the law enforcers, however, RA 9271 and Vagrancy Law under the revised Penal Code shall be imposed on persons who refuse to abide the law enforcers,” Nolasco said./PN
