By Marie Tonette Marticio TACLOBAN City - Northern Samar's general community quarantine has been extended until April 30, based on an executive order issued by Governor Edwin Ongchuan as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the governor, he ordered all municipalities to restrict non-essential entry and exit of people by land, sea or air, especially those who are at risk of being infected by the virus. "All persons entering and leaving Northern Samar must be checked for signs and symptoms at the entry and exit points, and the movement of cargos...shall be unhampered," Ongchuan’s order stated. Health workers, police, army, returning residents, and authorized government officials, among others, will be exempted from these restrictions. He added that quarantine control points shall continue. These would be manned by the police, army, provincial health office personnel, local government units, and Phil. Coast Guard for quarantine checkpoints along ports. They are also tasked to secure secondary entry and exit points of the province in a 24-hour shifting system. All residents will be required to wear face masks, reusable, washable or handmade when going out of their homes. Classes in all levels remain suspended until April 30, while curfew would still be imposed from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for adults, and 24 hours for minors and senior citizens. Public gatherings such as fiestas, assemblies, and religious events are suspended until further notice. Workplaces in the private and public sectors, as well as public utility vehicles, are urged to practice social distancing and safety measures against COVID-19.