Strict border control imposed in Luzon provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Strict border control was implemented yesterday in provinces in Luzon as nearby areas were placed on lockdown.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino III issued an executive order (EO) intensifying COVID-19 measures and travel restrictions in the province to prevent the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant.

Under the EO, non-authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) and tourists from areas under enhanced community quarantine and modified ECQ will not be allowed entry into Pangasinan.

The ban covers those coming from Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

APORs shall be allowed entry provided they present the required documents and pass COVID symptom screening.

Only tourists from areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ shall be allowed to travel to Pangasinan, but they should present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or antigen test.

Checkpoints

In Bulacan, 578 police and augmentation forces were deployed to man quarantine control points.

Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director, said checkpoints were put up in areas which have boundaries with cities in Metro Manila.

Checkpoints were also put up along the North Luzon Expressway.

The other checkpoints are in Barangay Sta. Rita in Guiguinto, Patubig in Marilao, Malhacan in Meycauayan, Tibag in Pulilan and at the  Balucuc Apalit Pulilan boundary.

Cajipe said only APORs  and those providing basic services and carrying essential goods are allowed to enter Bulacan.

In Ilocos Norte, additional police personnel were deployed to help enforce the lockdown in Laoag, Batac and Pagudpud.

The provincial government said a moratorium on the entry of locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipinos would be imposed.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong extended the suspension of non-essential travel from all areas until Aug. 15 as a preemptive measure against the Delta variant.

The extension is “appropriate and necessary, especially so that this is a crucial time to fully assess actions on border management, contact tracing and patient management in all health facilities,” Magalong said in an advisory issued yesterday.  - Eva Visperas, Artemio Dumlao