500 students, teachers on mandatory self-quarantine in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY –– The Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol has ordered a mandatory quarantine of more than 500 students, teachers, and employees who attended national events from other regions, as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Gilbert Sadsad, DepEd Bicol chief, said all delegates must undergo the Department of Health-prescribed self or home quarantine for 14 days.

On Friday, at least 302 delegates who attended the National School Press Conference (NSPC) in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, went home and subjected themselves to self-quarantine.

The NSPC was scheduled from March 9 to 13, but some Bicol delegates decided to travel back home Thursday to avoid travel restrictions in Metro Manila.

At least 200 delegates also attended the National Festival of Talents in Ilagan City, Isabela.

On March 12, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara required all residents who traveled outside the region to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

The barangay officials and health workers were designated to monitor the residents under quarantine.

In Camarines Sur, Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte has ordered the strict enforcement of the 14-day self-quarantine of travelers from Metro Manila and other places with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

All towns and cities were ordered to establish a single-point unloading area of passengers of buses and register all persons who arrived from other areas.

This order will take effect from March 15 to April 14./lzb