Southville 3 in Muntinlupa under 24-hour ‘curfew’

MUNTINLUPA, Philippines  — A neighborhood in Muntinlupa City will be placed under a 24-hour “curfew” for 14 days amid the spike in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Authorities will implement the curfew in Southville 3, one of the largest communites in Barangay Poblacion, beginning today until July 17.

Barangay captain Allen Ampaya signed Resolution 29, imposing the measure to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

The city government clarified that the curfew is not a lockdown.

Based on city health office data, 32 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Southville 3 as of July 2.

Ampaya said only nine cases of COVID-19 were registered in the area during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine and modified ECQ.

When the curfew was relaxed, Ampaya said COVID-19 infections tripled in number.

Residents would not be allowed to go out of their homes, except for emergencies and essential travel.

Those who need to buy essential goods and employees of industries allowed to operate under general community quarantine are exempted from the curfew.

Ampaya said the curfew aims to limit the movement and interactions of the residents in public places.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged the residents to follow health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, Muntilupa registered 440 cases of COVID-19 with 291 recoveries and 38 deaths.