Batanes: Enhanced measures until October 13

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines —  A day after recording its first coronavirus disease 2019 case, the Batanes provincial government implemented enhanced quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco said the measures, which would be implemented until Oct. 13, have been adopted in lieu of quarantine protocols that need approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease or IATF.

The Batanes COVID-19 task group said the quarantine measures include limiting the movement of residents to accessing essential goods and services and work in offices or industries allowed to operate. Only one member per household shall be allowed to go out to purchase basic needs.

Commercial flights, except for emergency or medical evacuation as well as the transport of swab specimen, are suspended. All mass gatherings were suspended.

Cayco said residents are mandated to wear face masks and observe physical distancing at all times, adding that those below 21 and above 60 should stay at home.

A 29-year-old returning resident from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, who arrived in Basco on an Air Force plane on Sept. 22 is the first confirmed case in Batanes.

Provincial police director Col. Ismael Atluna said all the other passengers of the plane were accounted for and quarantined.

Atluna said health workers who attended to the patient are under observation.

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, non-residents are required to register online prior to their travel to Dagupan City. Visitors should also present a negative swab test result.

Mayor Brian Lim said the measures are meant to prevent the spread of the virus as Dagupan is on the COVID watchlist in the province.

The city had recorded 128 active cases as of yesterday.

The Zamboanga city government ordered stricter border control after 11 COVID-19 patients from Tawi-Tawi recently sneaked into the city to seek treatment.

The Tawi-Tawi Hospital was locked down after many medical workers were infected.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said residents of nearby provinces have likewise entered the city through coastal areas, also for medical treatment. – Eva Visperas, Roel Pareño