By Francis Allan L. Angelo
Passi City, Iloilo is now under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) following a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The ECQ is the strictest form of quarantine which restricts the movement of people and operations of businesses.
The lockdown began 6AM today, January 28, 2021 and will end on February 11, Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares said.
Palmares said 84 market vendors initially tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 600 who were swabbed as part of the city’s mass testing efforts.
“Initially, we have received information that the confirmed COVID-19 positive as of 2:30 in the afternoon today is 84 and just this evening it reached more than 100. This is the highest recorded confirmed COVID-19 case in the city in a single day,” said Palmares.
The latest tally so far is 166 persons infected with COVID-19, the highest in the city in a day.
According to a Facebook post by the Passi City Information Office, all establishments will be closed except those that are providing food, water, and other related necessities.
All establishments providing health needs such as hospitals, medical clinics, medical facilities, diagnostic centers and laboratories, dental clinics, pharmacies and drug stores are allowed to operate.
All restaurants, fast food chains and food stalls will be closed.
Markets are allowed to open every day, but the scheduled market day (Monday) is suspended.
Factories and plants engaged in the manufacturing, processing, and storage of basic food produce and health needs; banks, pawnshops, money transfer services and payment and remittance centers will be allowed to operate as well.
Palmares said all public utilities providing transportation, power, energy, water, telecommunications and cargo handlings, agricultural supply stores, gasoline stations, LPG stores, and all funeral businesses are also allowed to open under ECQ provided that public viewing and wakes are prohibited.
Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing and transporting of alcoholic beverages are also prohibited in the city.
People who came from Iloilo City, provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Aklan and Capiz who wish to pass through Passi City are allowed, however, entry of non-residents in Passi City will not be allowed by the local government unit (LGU).
Curfew hours will be implemented from 7PM until 5AM on the following day.
Checkpoints at the exit and entrance of Passi City and of every barangay will also be placed and only residents of Passi City will be allowed by the policemen and barangay tanods to enter the city or barangay provided that they present their ID, said Palmares.
Public gatherings such as birthdays, religious gatherings, weddings, and baptism receptions are also prohibited until February 11.
“I am asking for everybody’s cooperation and understanding. I know this decision of placing the entire city under ECQ is not favorable to some of you, however, this decision is the result of our meeting and we need to strictly implement guidelines in our city so that the cases of COVID-19 will not increase anymore,” said Palmares.
