ROXAS CITY—To prevent the spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Capiz Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras declared the province under strict quarantine March 15, per Executive Order No. 11, series of 2020.
The strengthened strict quarantine procedures for individuals entering the province and restricting entry exempts government officials and employees travelling in the performance of their functions.
It also leaves out medical personnel and health and humanitarian workers performing duties in relation to COVID-19 and patients availing chemotherapy and haemodialysis.
Further, the order covers residents of Capiz travelling from and into the province.
Persons travelling into the province on common carriers or transport for the conduct of trade, delivery of social or humanitarian services, fishing/marine activities, scientific or academic pursuit and such other essential purposes, other than the carriage of passengers, shall be dealt with in accordance to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
The same will also be subject to the provisions of the R.A. 9271 or the Quarantine Act of 2004 and other applicable laws.
According to the governor, “entry of goods classified as essential and medical supplies are allowed, subject to protocols and regulations already in place.”
Persons entering the province in violation of the restrictions shall be put under 14-day mandatory quarantine based on the March 13 COVID-19 decision tool.
There will be no restriction for residents who intend to travel outside the province but they must also consider the rules and regulations of the place of their destination.
The province’s police authorities will conduct a 24/7 checkpoint to all land entries province-wide to ensure that only those only allowed in the order may enter the province.
Local government units situated in the borders like Tapaz, Jamindan, Dumarao, Sapi-an and Pilar towns are mandated to assist policemen in the conduct of mandatory thermal scan or temperature check and other needed procedures for travellers to enter the province.
The Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP Aviation Security Group have also been directed to conduct the same precautionary measures. (Alex Lumaque/PIA Capiz)
