By Emme Rose Santiagudo
As the only province in Western Visayas that remains free from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the island province of Guimaras raised its COVID-19 response to Level 2 by placing the province under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Vice Governor Atty. John Edward Gando said the province of Guimaras has been placed under ECQ starting April 15 to April 30, 2020 in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We have raised our COVID-19 response because considering ang uptrend sang cases naton subong, kinahanglan we have to protect Guimaras as the only province that remains Covid-free,” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin signed Executive Order (EO) No. 43 last April 7, placing the entire province under enhanced community quarantine.
Under EO No. 43, returning Guimaras residents will only be allowed entry if they do not manifest signs and symptoms of Covid-19.
Gando said the residents will also undergo 14-day quarantine upon their return to Guimaras.
Meanwhile, non-residents entering the province will only be limited to those who are transporting basic commodities and necessities and attending to emergency cases.
The ECQ also restricts the travel of the residents to its neighbor Iloilo City.
According to Gando, outbound travels for residents will only be allowed in cases of medical referrals and emergency purposes. They have to secure valid IDs and a quarantine pass.
“Deliveries of food and basic commodities and emergency cases are only the two instances that will be allowed in the inbound and outbound travel in Guimaras,” he said.
Trips of motorbancas and Ro-Ro vessels plying the Guimaras-Iloilo route and vice versa are also limited to the transport of basic goods, food commodities, medical purposes, and emergencies.
Meanwhile, Gando appealed to the Guimaras residents to cooperate and follow the protocols being imposed by the provincial government in order to remain Covid-free.
“Naga-apelar gid ang aton provincial government sa mga pumuluyo nga magkooperar sa ginapatuman naton nga regulations. We are also reminding them to practice the mandatory wearing of face mask in public. Kon wala man lang sila importante ubrahon, stay at home and practice physical distancing,” he said.
