ILOILO – Ilonggos stranded in parts of Western Visayas classified as “low risk” for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may now return to the province, announced Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
These areas are the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental – all now under general community quarantine (GCQ).
“Previously, we cannot allow them to return because we’re on the same level with the provinces they were stuck in,” said Defensor.
Now, only Iloilo province and city remain under an extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) – until May 15 unless lifted earlier or extended further. They are still considered “high risk” areas for COVID-19 transmission.
However, Defensor stressed, all returning residents must follow the COVID-19 safety protocols being imposed by various local government units (LGUs) such as undergoing 14 days of quarantine (home or facility-based).
“Their return has to be organized, coordinated,” said Defensor after meeting yesterday Vice Gov. Christine Garin, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and mayors at Casa Real de Iloilo.
The governor clarified that only residents of Iloilo province stranded in other provinces of the region were being allowed to enter the borders.
While the province observes ECQ, Iloilo’s borders remain tightly guarded, he stressed.
Mayors agreed their respective LGUs would make arrangements for the transport of their constituents entering the borders.
Under Defensor’s Executive Order No. 110 extending the ECQ, restrictions on the travel of persons into Iloilo province remain, but there are exemptions:
* government officials and employees travelling in the performance/pursuit of their functions
* medical personnel and health/humanitarian workers performing functions in relation to COVID-19 in the province
* residents of Iloilo City and the province of Guimaras travelling therefrom, and into the province
Extending the ECQ was the right thing to do, stressed Defensor.
“Gusto naton sustinaron ang naumpisahan naton. We do not want to let our guards down,” he said.
The previous ECQ ended on April 30.
An abrupt loosening of restrictions on people’s movements could result to a spike in COVID-19 cases, warned the governor.
“Dasig lang ‘ni ang 15 days. Indi kita maghalog. Sa baylo, maghugot pa gid kita sa pagpangudal kay amo ‘ni ang maayo para sa aton tanan,” said Defensor.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
As of yesterday afternoon, Iloilo province had 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19. These were the following:
* 33-year-old female from Lambunao (Patient No. 58)
* 31-year-old male from Zarraga (Patient No. 59)
* 94-year-old male from Miag-ao (Patient No. 31), died
* 70-year-old male from Lambunao (Patient No. 16), died
* 58-year-old male from Guimbal (Patient No. 22), died
* 59-year-old female from Barotac Nuevo (Patient No. 10), died
* 51-year-old female from Guimbal (Patient No. 18), recovered
* 65-year-old male from Guimbal (Patient No. 2) , recovered
* 22-year-old female from Miag-ao (Patient No. 12), recovered
* 39-year-old female from Lambunao (Patient No. 27), recovered
* 41-year-old male from Lambunao (Patient No. 28), recovered
* 70-year-old female from Lambunao (Patient No. 29), recovered
* 48-year-old female from Lambunao (Patient No. 30), recovered
* 44-year-old female from Lambunao (Patient No. 25)
* 25-year-old female from Barotac Nuevo (Patient No. 36)
* 50-year-old male from Pavia (Patient No. 37), recovered
* 52-year-old female from Pavia (Patient No. 38), recovered
* 21-year-old male from Miag-ao (Patient No. 42)
* 24-year-old male from Tigbauan (Patient No. 46), recovered
* 26-year-old male from Tigbauan (Patient No. 47). (With a report from LHC, Capitol News/PN)
