Hard lockdown in Guiuan extended

MANILA, Philippines — The hard lockdown in Guiuan, Eastern Samar has been extended for another 14 days as more coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases were recorded.

Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan issued an executive order on Wednesday extending the lockdown until Jan. 27.

Kwan cited the recommendation of the municipal inter-agency task force on COVID-19 “to implement stringent restrictions for specific areas to prevent the further spread of the pandemic in the town.”

She said the lockdown would also allow unhampered contact tracing and disease surveillance.

Mass gatherings, including religious events with more than 10 people as participants, are prohibited. Curfew is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Guiuan was first placed on hard lockdown from Dec. 31 to Jan. 13.

In Leyte, Mayor Lemuel Gin Traya of Abuyog town imposed a lockdown in nine barangays to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Traya directed police and village watchmen to patrol the streets and ensure that non-residents, including government workers, are barred in the affected barangays.

Business establishments can operate until 1 p.m. while those selling essential items, such as drug stores are allowed to open until 8 p.m.

Abuyog recorded 30 cases in the past 10 days.

Stay at home

Mayor Franklyn Odsey of Bontoc, Mountain Province appealed to his townmates to ensure that children, the elderly and those with comorbidities will stay at home.

“There is a trend of family members infecting other family members, relatives and friends... The virus may now be at anyone’s doorstep,” Odsey said.

Fifty-seven of the 84 cases recorded in Mountain Province as of Thursday are from Bontoc. – Artemio Dumlao