Two zones in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati were placed under a three-day lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community, Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay announced on Saturday (March 13).

Makati City spokesperson Don Camiña said around 300 individuals are affected by the lockdown.

Through Executive Order No. 6, Binay declared the following areas as critical zones and placed them under a three-day localized enhanced community quarantine (LEQC) starting 12:01 a.m. on March 13 until 11:59 p.m. on March 16:

Zone 1

• Mayor St. (from Cuangco St. to Jerry St.)
• Jerry St. (whole street)
• Cuangco St. (from Mayor St. to M. Reyes St.)
• M. Reyes St. (from Cuangco St. to Arguelles St.)

Zone 2

• Arguelles St. (from Evangelista St. to A. Apolinario St.
• Apolinario St. (from Arguelles St. to Calhoun St.)
• Calhoun St. (from A. Apolinario St. to Evangelista St.)
• Evangelista St. (from Calhoun St. to Arguelles St.)

Binay said the LGU-led zoning containment strategy is the best approach in containing COVID-19 as it surgically targets areas where cases, either positive or suspected, are concentrated.

“Through this, we can monitor the number of cases more accurately and adopt a calibrated response that can adapt to the emerging conditions,” Binay said in a statement.

Based on the data of the Makati Health Department (MHD), there are 25 confirmed cases and 42 close contact individuals in the two zones as of March 12.

Under the EO, residents are not allowed to go outside their homes.

Camiña said Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) in Zones 1 and 2 in Barangay Pio del Pilar are also prohibited to go outside their homes.

“Even APORs are not allowed to go outside their homes because it will defeat the purpose of the quarantine,” the spokesman said.

Makati City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) personnel will conduct house-to-house swab tests to identify, isolate, and treat those infected with the disease, the mayor said.

“If all members of the household test negative for COVID-19, the lockdown over the house shall be lifted. However, if a member of the household tests positive, the lockdown shall be extended to 14 days, with the person who tested positive being brought to a quarantine facility,” the mayor said.

Per Binay, the city government will provide food assistance to individuals under the LECQ.

Meanwhile, online deliveries will be allowed but only at the designated drop-off on Arguelles Street.

Commercial and business establishments within the quarantine zones are not allowed to operate, the city government said.

Binay said the LECQ will be lifted on March 16 when all surveillance, testing, and isolation interventions have been completed.

Makati Police Department and Public Safety Department personnel will be deployed to impose a “restrictive perimeter control” in the said zones.

Violators of the rules will be fined P5,000 for the first and second offense, while third-time and succeeding offenders will pay P5,000 and be imprisoned for a maximum of one year, the city said.