Gov places 4 La Union towns under MECQ as Covid cases now 1,336

By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim

SAN FERNANDO CITY – Gov. Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III has imposed heightened community quarantine in four towns of La Union due to rising Covid-19 cases.
    As of April 6, La Union had 1,336 active Covid-19 cases.
Ortega signed Tuesday executive order 8, series of 2021 declaring the municipalities of Aringay, Luna, Naguilian, and Tubao under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from April 8 to April 21.
    The EO cited the provincial core team against Covid-19 reported as of April 5,  said areas qwew at critical epidemic risk level with more than 50 percent of their barangays having new active cases.
     In Aringay, 14 of the 24 villages have been infected with the virus, 27 of 40 in Luna, 29 of 37 in Naguilian and 16 out of 18 barangays in Tubao.
    According to Adamor Dagang, provincial information and tourism officer, officials of concerned local government units were consulted and concurred prior to declaration of heightened classification in their locality.
     “This move of the provincial government is to arrest the further spread of Covid-19 in said LGUs and to benefit its surrounding municipalities as well as the province, in general,” Dagang said.
    He said local chief executives and police were directed to ensure compliance with guidelines on zoning containment in localization of the national action plan against Covid-19 response and other applicable guidelines during the MECQ.
     These include limitation on movement and transportation of people, establishment of checkpoints, observance of minimum public health standards, closing of non-essential establishments, and strict regulation of operating industries, imposition of curfews, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce protocols.
    The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19 has yet to release its resolution approving and concurring Ortega’s executive order. -- PIA La Union