Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan is eyeing the imposition of a strict lockdown in the province to prevent the entry of the new coronavirus strain reportedly detected in nearby Sabah.

He has requested government support on tightening border controls as well as delivering food assistance to the residents once the lockdown is implemented.

A temporary halt to the repatriation of Filipinos from Sabah has also been proposed by Tan as a precaution to the spread of the new coronavirus.

"Kung mag-lockdown kami na kailangan suportahan kami at anytime, pagkatapos ng meeting namin with the security sector at other members of task force COVID-19 ng Sulu ay baka mag-lockdown kami para hindi makapasok. sinisugro natin na hindi makapasok ang COVID  (If we implement a lockdown, we need support. Anytime after the meeting with the security sector and other members of Task Force COVID-19 of Sulu, we might implement a lockdown so we could ensure those who are COVID-infected will not enter)," Tan said during the Laging Handa briefing Tuesday.

"Ang taga-Sulu parang taga-Sabah. Ang taga-Sabah parang taga-Sulu kasi since time natatandaan ang mga tao namin dito ay labas masok diyan sa Sabah (People from Sulu are like people from Sabah. People from Sabah are like those from Sulu because ever since our people have been in and out of Sabah)," he said.

Asked about the timeframe of the planned lockdown, Tan said it may be imposed “for as long as necessary."

Tan added that an "inter-island lockdown" among municipalities in Sulu is also being considered to curb any spread of the illness.  

He explained that they are resorting to such preventive measures since Sulu has limited health facilities. He expressed hope that the province could get testing machines to screen people if they have the illness. At present, he said swab samples are still being sent to Zamboanga for testing purposes.

Amid plans for the travel restrictions, Tan has proposed the military will deploy more assets, including helicopters and boats, to monitor Sulu's borders and patrol the vast coastal areas.

A decision on the proposed lockdown of Sulu is expected to be finalized within the day, according to the governor.

"Definitely walang puwede pumunta ng Sabah at walang puwede galing Sabah pumunta dito. In fact, ayaw na namin papasukin kasi baka makapasok din sa Tawi-Tawi. Malapit din sa Tawi-Tawi ang Sabah so baka i-lockdown natin. Nobody from other provinces (Definitely, no one can go to Sabah and those from Sabah can't come here. In fact, we  will prohibit those entering from Tawi-Tawi. Tawi-Tawi is also near Sabah. We might impose a lockdown. Nobody from other provinces)," he said.

Tan also asked President Duterte to consider asking Malaysia to suspend the return of the undocumented Filipinos from Sabah.  "Hindi natin alam baka naman may dala ng bagong strain ng bagong sakit (We don't know if they're carrying the new COVID strain)," he added.

Asked about the President's response to his request, Tan said the President has issued him of government support on the travel restrictions.

Last Saturday, the President disclosed that Sulu has asked for government's help after the new COVID strain was detected in Sabah, Malaysia. 

So far, Tan said Sulu has recorded 243 cases of coronavirus with 12 deaths. There are only two active cases in the province, currently under modified general community quarantine.