ILOILO – In yet another tough measure to keep the province free from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and/or stop its transmission, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered the following yesterday: “A strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households whereby the movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and health needs.”
Defensor issued Executive Order (EO) No. 080, Series of 2020 yesterday placing Iloilo under an “enhanced community quarantine” until April 14.
He appealed to residents: “Pahimuyong kita. Paumod kita kag magpasensya. Magwa lang kita kon we will access basic necessities like pagkaon, bulong and other necessary needs.”
In this “enhanced community quarantine”, all private establishments shall be closed, except the following:
* municipal public markets (provided that while the same shall be open everyday, scheduled market days shall be suspended in all local government units)
* supermarkets, sari-sari stores, grocery stores, convenience stores and bakeshops
* restaurants, fast food chains and food stalls (but only for “take out” orders; “dine-in” service shall not be allowed)
* water-refilling stations
* hospitals
* medical/dental clinics, medical facilities, diagnostic centers and laboratories
* pharmacies
* establishments / factories / plants engaged in the manufacturing / processing / storage of basic food products and health needs
* establishments providing financial services (banks, pawnshops, money transfer services, and payment and remittance centers)
* public utilities providing transportation, power, energy, water, telecommunications and cargo handling
* establishments providing such other basic necessities and services (agricultural supply stores, gasoline stations, liquefied petroleum gas stores/outlets;
* funeral homes (but viewing and wakes is prohibited)
* media establishments
* business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) establishments
“In all such open establishments, and likewise in the local government units, there shall be a reduction of personnel, rationalization of work hours and/or implementation of work-from-home arrangements, provided that the same not affect the levels of product / work / services output,” read part of Defensor’s EO.
The provincial government is also imposing a liquor ban for the whole duration of the enhanced community quarantine.
The EO also laid out reverse quarantine/isolation procedures.
Persons considered more vulnerable to infection and the severity of COVID-19, such as the elderly, those with underlying medical problems, including, among others, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and immunosuppression, shall be quarantined, or accorded special attention for isolation/social distancing measures at the household level.
“Likewise, the above-mentioned vulnerable persons shall be given priority in the reduction of personnel, rationalization of works hours and/or implementation of work-from-home arrangements in all such open establishments and in the LGUs,” stressed Defensor.
“This is a new style, ang reverse quarantine, to protect vulnerable persons,” said Defensor.
On March 16, he started imposing border travel restrictions as part of a “general community quarantine.” He encouraged “rationalized/flexible work arrangements in the private sector” and ordered the suspension of classes in all levels until April 14.
According to Defensor, the travel restriction aimed to “further strengthen the imposition of quarantine procedures and disease prevention and control measures.”/PN
