A two-week strict lockdown will be enforced in the province of Sulu starting January 4, 2021 to stop the entry of the new coronavirus strain.

Speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing Wednesday, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan announced plans to close down the borders of the province and prevent travelers from going in and out to ensure public health.

Exempted from the movement restrictions are health workers and uniformed personnel enforcing health and safety protocols.

"Pinirmahan ko lang kagabi 'yung executive order. Una in-extend natin ang MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) but in addition magkakaroon ng lockdown effective 04 January hanggang 17 and extendable 'yan depende sa sitwasyon (I've signed the executive order. We extended the MGCQ in Sulu but in addition there will be a lockdown effect 04 January until 17. It will be extendable depending on the situation)," Tan said over state television.

"Magla-lockdown tayo na walang pwedeng pumasok. Yung mga LSIs (locally stranded individuals), na mga OFWs (overseas Filipinos workers), hindi puwede pumasok, at saka mga returning residents.  Pag hindi naman sila frontliners o kaya mga presonell, na nag enforce ng ating mga protocol at guidelines, ay huwag muna sila pumasok dito dahil hindi natin malalaman baka mahawa nila mga pamilya nila o kasama nila at komunidad (We will enforce a lockdown. No one can enter. Those LSIs, OFWs, and returning residents cannot enter. If they are not frontliners or personnel enforcing protocols and guidelines, better not go here because we don't know they might infect their families and communities)," he said.

Tan also assured that cargo movement of food and other basic commodities would not be blocked. He added that the local government will extend food and cash assistance to families affected by the lockdown.

The Sulu local official earlier announced plans to impose the lockdown in the province after the second COVID strain was detected in nearby Sabah. He has asked for government assistance, particularly deployment of more military assets, to tighten border controls against the entry of the COVID strain.