Vizcaya, Isabela towns seek stricter quarantine status

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines  – The towns of Solano in Nueva Vizcaya and Mallig in Isabela have sought to revert to general community quarantine or GCQ until April 4, citing the surge in COVID-19 cases.

In an executive order signed yesterday, Solano Mayor Eufemia Dacayo said curfew would be imposed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for authorized persons outside residence and for 24 hours for non-APORs.

In Mallig, Mayor Jose Calderon said the general curfew is from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Both mayors imposed a liquor ban and limited gatherings  to 10 persons.

Solano logged 41 infections yesterday, bringing the total active cases to 61.

Last year, Solano was placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine for the entire month of September after it logged 180 cases.

Mallig recorded 12 cases on Wednesday. The total active cases are now 45.

In Pangasinan, the San Fabian Beach, which is a favorite destination during Holy Week,  will be closed from April 1 to 4 to prevent an influx of tourists.

C. Luzon checkpoints

Meanwhile, police put up more checkpoints in Central Luzon to ensure that quarantine restrictions are strictly implemented, regional police director Brig. Gen. Valeriano del Leon said.

De Leon said checkpoints would be put up at all exit points along the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Tarlac-La Union-Pangasinan Expressway.

De Leon reminded the public that  mobility within Bulacan remains unrestricted, but only authorized persons could travel in and out of the province until April 4. – Eva Visperas, Ramon Efren Lazaro