ILOILO City – “Very happy.” This was what he felt, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas, upon knowing the impending lifting of the community quarantine in this city and across Region 6.
But is it time to celebrate?
Not just yet, said Treñas.
The risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), remains, he explained.
But citing initial discussions with the city government’s COVID-19 team, City Health Office and city government department heads, Treñas said the curfew hours would be adjusted – from the current 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., it would be enforced from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“Ang liquor ban i-lift, pero may limitation sa purchases (so that) indi magulpihan bala. Kon buy-an dayun damo naga-wild,” added Treñas.
As to border restrictions, the mayor said yesterday this was still being discussed.
The city government would continue to be proactive in curbing COVID-19 infections, he assures residents.
“Ginaliwat-liwat ko gid nga we have to be wary because ang infection ‘syado gid…malatnan ka gid ya so kinahanglan preparar gid kita,” said Treñas.
As of yesterday morning, the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city were at 16, with one death.
But perhaps, according to Treñas, in classifying this city and the whole Region 6 as “low risk” for COVID-19 infections, the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases did not just focus on the number of infections but also considered the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) in containing the virus.
A “welcome development” was how Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Jr. described the national government’s announcement of the quarantine lifting.
But he was just as cautious as Treñas. “Sustiniron naton ang hugot nga pagpanagang. Mag-social distancing, facemask and panghugas sang kamot, among others,” he said.
As of yesterday morning, Iloilo province’s COVID-19 cases stood at 18, with four deaths.
Defensor said he also wanted border restrictions to remain but stressed he would wait for guidance from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“Ang gusto ta mabal-an kon ano bala nga mga quarantine procedures ang puede ma-adopt sang low risk areas. Masugilangon man kita sa kaingud nga mga local government units para ang restrictions isa lang. Sa syudad una kita ma-istorya, first to determine kon puede pa bala maka-impose border restrictions,” said Defensor.
Iloilo province and city had been on community quarantine – first general, then enhanced – since the third week of March./PN
