AGOO, La Union — The municipality of Agoo in La Union is now under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) starting Friday until Sept. 16 to curb the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases here.
Mayor Stefanie Ann Eriguel said the guidelines on the new quarantine status in Executive Order (EO) 170 were issued on Thursday night.
“Strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households. The movement of all persons shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services and for work permitted offices or establishments or such other activities allowed,” Eriguel said.
Any person below 15 years old or those who are above 65 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women are required to remain in their residences at all times except for obtaining essential goods and services, she added.
A liquor ban will be in effect during the MECQ.
“The market shall be open on Sundays to Thursdays to Agoo residents only,” Eriguel said, adding that a market schedule is to be followed.
Gatherings outside of residence and gatherings with any person aside from one’s immediate household are prohibited.
Religious gatherings are allowed up to 10 percent venue capacity while the conduct of online Masses and other forms of religious worship is encouraged.
“Religious congregations are not to schedule weddings, baptisms, and other related activities for the period of MECQ. However, church weddings that have been scheduled in advance that fall during this period will be permitted,” Eriguel added.
Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, in his Executive Order No. 42 issued Thursday night, said Eriguel has requested for the reclassification of Agoo from modified general community quarantine to MECQ.
“The request for higher community quarantine was due to the sudden rise in the number of positive cases in the said municipality wherein 39 out of its 49 barangays were affected,” he said.
He added that the shift in quarantine status will benefit the surrounding towns of Agoo as well as the province in general.
Based on the latest data as of Thursday noon, the town has 186 active COVID-19 infections.