By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City - In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the City of Catbalogan, the capital of Samar province, has imposed a general community quarantine effective Tuesday, March 17.
City Mayor Dexter Uy, in an executive order, has directed the mandatory screening and registration of all vehicles entering the city.
He said that vehicles carrying supplies, goods, and products shall be allowed entry provided the occupants show delivery receipts or vouchers as proofs.
Vehicles carrying passengers will not be allowed entry into the city unless they are residents, workers in Catbalogan, individuals with medical conditions, and returning residents from other places provided they be isolated and referred to the city health office.
The city shall enforce a centralized loading area at the city public transport terminal except if existing terminals put up their own screening procedure and ensure passenger limit which is one-half of the passenger capacity of each vehicle.
Each barangay is ordered to set up one entrance and exit, and shall restrict movement in their communities.
He added that curfew would be imposed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for minors and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for adults.
"The purchase and consumption of liquor shall be prohibited until the public health emergency subsists."
For business and commercial activities, starting March 18, only those selling basic commodities and essential services shall be allowed to operate while observing limited purchases per client, price regulation, and social distancing.
"Restaurants, eateries, and food centers shall be allowed to operate employing preorder scheme through established online or by-phone ordering and pickup or delivery system."