By Armando B. Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY - The Davao de Oro government is now under community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Governor Javee Tryon Uy issued Executive Order 0023-2020, placing the province under mandatory community quarantine effective March 16. The order effectively imposed a lockdown at all the entry and exit points of the province.
Uy said this order aims to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19 after a confirmed case of the virus came from one of the towns in the province.
The governor said, with this, all public and private vehicles travelling from neighboring cities and provinces will be prohibited to enter the province, except for medical teams, Philippine National Police (PNPA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other allied government agencies.
He said public and private vehicles, which will be passing through the national highways of the province going to other areas, will be escorted by AFP and PNP personnel in groups until they reach the next border.
“No public or private vehicles from other cities and provinces will be allowed to pass through Davao de Oro after 24 hours from the effectivity of the Executive Order,” he said.
Uy said vehicles with accompanying personnel carrying agricultural products, including food and essential medicine supplies, will be permitted to enter and exit the province, and will be provided with special lanes to prevent delay on service delivery.
“Given that proper documents are presented upon entry and exit. They should also comply to the health sanitation precautionary measures duly set by the government,” he said.
He said all passengers in incoming public and private vehicles, who are residents of Davao de Oro returning to the province, must present valid Identification cards at the checkpoint areas.
“Non reisdents coming into the province for legitimate and valid purposes shall present their ID and register themselves and the vehicle or their mode of transportation with the authorities,” he said.
The governor said emergency vehicles are authorized to enter or pass through the province provided that they are marked or identified as Covid-19 Task Force Vehicle and also be given with fast lane to expedite health services.
He said the prices of the basic and prime commodities must be closely monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prevent any possible profiteering.
The governor urged the public to stay in their respective houses unless they need to work, buy food and medicine, go to the hospital, or throw garbage.
“Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD) and other vulnerable personalities being more susceptible to the possibility of getting the virus are encouraged to stay at home,” he said.
All public areas such as parks, plazas, covered courts and many more will be temporary closed to avoid mass gathering and for disinfection purposes.
He also suspended the operations of amusement places, resorts, gyms, and internet cafe since these could also encourage mass gatherings that could defeat the social distancing or no contact policy.
Other business establishments such as supermarket and pharmacy can still operate by establishing flexible working hours for their employees.
Government transactions will also continue, but in accordance with the precautionary measures set by the Department of Health.