VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – The cities of Vigan and Candon, along with two towns, were placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) effective August 7 until August 21 to eliminate and prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The MECQ classification was also enforced in the towns of Caoayan and Magsingal.
As of August 7, the province has recorded 48 positive cases of COVID-19, of which 15 were listed in Vigan City, eight in Candon City, four in Magsingal, and two in Caoayan.
The reclassification to MECQ of these four local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Sur was approved by the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of emerging infectious diseases (RIATF-1) when the task force concurred with the Executive Order No. 26, Series of 2020 issued by Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson.
“The abrupt increase of COVID -19 positive cases from these four LGUs, and the confirmation of local transmission affecting event the health workers and frontliners alarmed the medical team of Ilocos Sur, therefore, were recommended the reclassification of the status of the said LGUs from MGCQ to MECQ to contain the virus,” Singson said.
Singson said that strict observance of the health protocols under MECQ guidelines was already being implemented in these four LGUs.
As per protocols set in all LGUs under MECQ, residents are required to observe strict home quarantine except for going to work and accessing essential goods and services.
Any person below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, those with health risks, and pregnant women are required to remain in their residence at all times.
Quarantine passes are also required to limit the movement of the people.
Public transportation is suspended anew except for the point-to-point services provided by the government.
However, tricycles are allowed to operate, but limited to one passenger per tricycle.
Individuals going to work or allowed to buy essential supplies are allowed to use motorcycles, bikes, and electronic bikes but limited to one occupant.
Healthcare, manufacturing of essential goods, delivery and courier services, and other businesses, as well as essential private and public construction projects, are allowed to operate.
However, tourist destinations, theaters, and karaoke bars, kid amusement industries, libraries, museums and cultural centers, personal care services such as massage parlors, sauna, facial care and waxing, gyms, sports facilities, are not allowed to operate.
Dining establishment and restaurant operations are limited to delivery and take out.
Individual outdoor exercises such as outdoor walks, running, and biking are allowed.
Mass gatherings are prohibited except for those related to critical government services and humanitarian activities, and religious gatherings are only limited to five persons.
Curfew is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for non-essential “travels and mobility for non-workers.”
Meanwhile, Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo S. Medina has issued Executive Order No. 44, Series of 2020, enumerating some of the entry requirements for locally stranded individuals (LSIs), returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and Authorized Persons Outside of their Residences (APORs).
Before LSIs and ROs are allowed to enter Vigan City, they must provide a negative result of rapid antibody test or reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test dated five days before their entry.
APORs, who are frequent travelers, are also required to present a negative RT-PCR result every two weeks. The effectivity of Medina’s EO remains in force until the lifting of MECQ classification of the city.