Governor orders temporary closure of Negros Occidental borders, ports until April 14
By Glazyl MasculinoÂ
BACOLOD CITY - Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered the full activation of the Inter-agency coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-2019 border monitoring and regulation task force, following his directive to implement the temporary closure of borders, ports, and airports of Negros Occidental effective immediately until April 14.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lacson issued Executive Order No. 20-15 on March 15, declaring all the three entry points closed for at least one month to insulate the province from COVID-19.
The order stated that entry of persons shall be restricted except all dully identified residents of the province, its cities and municipalities, health workers responding to emergency, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), persons travelling for urgent medical or humanitarian reasons, and persons transporting essential goods, supplies, and medicines.
The task force, composed of officials of local government units (LGUs) and barangays, PNP, AFP, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will closely monitor the borders in the province, as stated in the order.
Lacson said the task force was ordered to defend the borders in the province by setting up checkpoints and the prevent entry of persons not allowed under the said order, specifically along the highways located in the borders of Mabinay-Kabankalan, Bayawan-Hinoba-an, San Carlos-Vallehermoso, La Castellana-Canlaon, and other roads that may be used as entry points.
The PCG, PPA and CAAP were directed to ensure that all seaports and airports remain closed during the effectivity of the order, the governor said.
The order also said that operators and dispatchers of bus or other public utility vehicles shall be required to refrain from crossing borders. They are further required to check all passengers for symptoms and check their temperatures prior boarding and purchasing of tickets.
The task force based on the Executive Order will allow entry of returning residents with or without COVID-19 symptoms. They are required to present a valid government issued Identification card prior the entry.
The order also said that all residents with COVID-19 symptoms will be deemed as Person Under Investigation (PUI) and must submit themselves for interview and assessment while individuals traveling with persons manifesting COVID-19 symptoms shall be considered as Person Under Monitoring (PUM). Both shall observe a 14-day quarantine.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) shall prepare health information forms for all the residents of the province.
Also included in the order was the prohibition of spreading fake news by sharing of unconfirmed reports.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lacson issued Executive Order No. 20-15 on March 15, declaring all the three entry points closed for at least one month to insulate the province from COVID-19.
The order stated that entry of persons shall be restricted except all dully identified residents of the province, its cities and municipalities, health workers responding to emergency, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), persons travelling for urgent medical or humanitarian reasons, and persons transporting essential goods, supplies, and medicines.
The task force, composed of officials of local government units (LGUs) and barangays, PNP, AFP, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will closely monitor the borders in the province, as stated in the order.
Lacson said the task force was ordered to defend the borders in the province by setting up checkpoints and the prevent entry of persons not allowed under the said order, specifically along the highways located in the borders of Mabinay-Kabankalan, Bayawan-Hinoba-an, San Carlos-Vallehermoso, La Castellana-Canlaon, and other roads that may be used as entry points.
The PCG, PPA and CAAP were directed to ensure that all seaports and airports remain closed during the effectivity of the order, the governor said.
The order also said that operators and dispatchers of bus or other public utility vehicles shall be required to refrain from crossing borders. They are further required to check all passengers for symptoms and check their temperatures prior boarding and purchasing of tickets.
The task force based on the Executive Order will allow entry of returning residents with or without COVID-19 symptoms. They are required to present a valid government issued Identification card prior the entry.
The order also said that all residents with COVID-19 symptoms will be deemed as Person Under Investigation (PUI) and must submit themselves for interview and assessment while individuals traveling with persons manifesting COVID-19 symptoms shall be considered as Person Under Monitoring (PUM). Both shall observe a 14-day quarantine.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) shall prepare health information forms for all the residents of the province.
Also included in the order was the prohibition of spreading fake news by sharing of unconfirmed reports.