Ilocos Sur: 345 Covid cases; towns, cities under MECQ

By Mario Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur-  Gov. Ryan Singson placed two cities and 11 towns under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine following sudden spike in number of new cases infected with Covid-19.
    The provincial health department said there are 345 active cases recorded so far.
In his executive order 28, Singson placed Vigan and Candon cities, towns of Sinait, Cabugao, Bantay, Narvacan, Santa, Sta.     Maria, San Esteban,Sta. Lucia, Suyo, Tagudin and Cervantes under MECQ starting 7 April up to 21.
    “The number of infected in two weeks times has almost tripled so I called on all mayors for emergency meeting even Holy week to discuss this problem so we decided to impose this MECQ,” Singson said.
    Singson also ordered the manning of a 24-hour checkpoint at the province’s boundaries and that all LGUs placed under MECQ shall also put up their own checkpoints but not along national and provincial highways.
Inbound and outbound travels are also regulated by the LGUs.
    The governor said the following shall be allowed to operate at 50 percent on-site capacity: “Other manufacturing industries classified as beverages, including alcoholic drinks, electrical machinery, wood products, and furniture; non-metallic products; textiles and clothing/wearing apparels; tobacco products; paper and paper products; rubber and plastic products; coke and refined petroleum products; other non-metallic mineral products; computers, electronic and optical products; electrical equipment; machinery and equipment; motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers; other transport equipment; and others…”
    Hotels and other accommodation establishments with valid Department of Tourism’s accreditation will be allowed to accommodate guests and clients for legitimate purposes only under the state of public health emergency.

“The operations of such hotels and accommodation establishments as well as ancillary establishments within their premises such as restaurants, cafes, gyms, spas, function halls and the like shall be subject to guidelines issued by DOT and the IATF,” his EO said.

Curfew hours have been imposed as well from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. but added that LGUs are given the authority to extend it if circumstances so demand.