Ormoc on lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez has ordered the closure of the city’s borders until Jan. 3 next year due to the increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases.

Gomez justified the lockdown after the city logged 98 cases on Wednesday, the highest in one day since restrictions on locally stranded individuals and authorized persons outside of residence or APORs were eased.

“Two weeks ago, I said I don’t want to relax the restrictions on APORs because I was worried that there will be an increase in COVID cases, but I was prevailed upon by higher authorities. Now it happened. I was left with no choice but to protect my constituents by implementing a lockdown of the city,” he said.

“I also don’t want people coming to the city to get infected,” Gomez added.

He said border passes have been distributed to mayors and local government employees in neighboring areas. “They are exempted from the ban... but the city government will impose close monitoring once they are inside,” he said.

Gomez said health personnel and other frontliners, government officials, humanitarian aid personnel and cargo deliveries, are among those allowed to enter Ormoc.

He said other non-residents must present the necessary documents, such as employment certificates and identification cards.

Gomez said social gatherings are not allowed.