CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed Pampanga under Modified General Community Quarantine but Governor Dennis Pineda on Friday imposed more restrictions to prevent the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 in the province.
Pampanga has recorded four cases of Delta variant as COVID-19 infected an average of 100 cases daily in the last 30 days and affected mostly people aged 21-40 years old, he said in a public address streamed live on social media on Friday. The variant was detected through genome testing on three returning overseas Filipinos. One was reclassified to Manila.
He issued Executive Order No. 17 a day after consulting with the Pampanga Mayors’ League. The EO lasts from Aug. 2 to 15, 2021.
“Kailangan po nating maghigpit. Kakayanin natin kung magtutulungan tayo. Kailangan ko po ang kooperasyon ninyo. Sumunod po tayo sa executive order para maproteksyonan ang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay,” the governor said.
EO No. 17 imposed serious compliance with the minimum public health standards like the wearing of face mask and shield, distancing of 1-2 meter, frequent handwashing, rubbing alcohol on hands and cough etiquette.
Starting on Friday night, non-Pampanga residents are prevented from entering Pampanga unless they present negative results of RT-PCR or antigen tests done 48 hours before they enter Pampanga. An influx of non-resident is expected because the GCQ in the NCR has been declared to ECQ beginning Aug. 6.
The EO reactivated barangay checkpoints and border controls under the supervision of the PNP, and banned residents from going from one village to another.
A curfew has been imposed from 10PM to 5AM, with the governor exempting workers and business people. “Tuloy ang hanapbuhay,” the governor said. People aged 18-60 years old are allowed to go out of their homes. Senior citizens and minors should stay home.
The governor also imposed a liquor ban that stops the selling and buying of alcohol drinks.
Holding social gatherings in resorts, function halls and covered courts require written permits from mayors/IATF chairs and limited to 30 percent of the venue capacity. Residential gatherings are limited only to family members of the same households. Guests in swimming pools in resorts and hotels are required to take RT-PCR or antigen tests. Wakes for non-COVID-19-related deaths are limited to two nights and three days at 50 percent capacity of venue. Mourners are covered by curfew.
Closed-door restaurants can serve up to 30 percent of venue capacity. Open-area restos can use 50 percent of venue. He urged these establishments to opt to sell take-out meals.
People should not loiter and gather on streets and roads. The regulation of public markets are left to the mayors.
Isolation facilities in barangays are activated.
Governor Pineda also ordered the fast-tracking of vaccination at the barangay level. END
