ECQ in Davao Oriental from September 8 to 21

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed the entire province of Davao Oriental under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Sept. 8 to 21.

Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang sought the ECQ status, citing the surge in COVID-19 cases in the province.

At least 236 people tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, bringing the active cases to 1,227.

“The quarantine classification was unanimously agreed by all local chief executives of the province led by Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang during an emergency meeting held earlier today,” the provincial government said in a statement issued yesterday.

”The ECQ will be implemented to allow the province’s healthcare sector to recuperate and give them time to concentrate on the recovery and treatment of existing COVID-19 cases,” it said.

The death toll due to COVID-19 in Davao Oriental has reached 159, prompting the provincial task force to implement stricter quarantine measures.

A 24-hour liquor ban and curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be enforced during the two-week lockdown.

Wakes will be limited to three days.

To prevent non-essential travel, the provincial government said it would increase visibility of law enforcers, who will give citation tickets to violators.

Granular lockdowns in Pampanga

In Pampanga, the provincial government ordered the strict implementation of granular lockdowns in areas where there is clustering of COVID cases.

”We will not allow the entire province to be affected if we implement a total lockdown. We have to consider our economic workers and businesses. We just need to focus and pay attention to barangays where cases are high,” Gov. Dennis Pineda said.

He urged local chief executives to intensify contact tracing and testing to immediately isolate infected individuals.

Pineda also ordered regular disinfection and the setting up of checkpoints. – Emmanuel Tupas, Ric Sapnu