No lockdown in Capiz

Capiz Gov. Esteban Evan “Nonoy” Contreras personally asks a truck driver for his travel documents during a surprise inspection of one of the border checkpoints in the province. (Contributed photo)

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— The provincial government of Capiz has implemented travel restrictions only, not a lockdown.

This was the statement of Capiz Governor Esteban Evan Contreras after some residents and commuters questioned the checkpoints placed in the boundaries between the three provinces of Panay Island.

Contreras said the travel restrictions are due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The governor clarified that those exempted from the travel restrictions are government officials and employees performing their jobs; medical, health and humanitarian workers in other provinces performing in their jobs and functions; and patients under chemotherapy and hemodialysis; traders of goods, among others.

Aside from the travel restrictions, police also imposed general curfew starting Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.