The local government of Agoo town in La Union province will sound the municipal siren starting March 18 to signal simultaneous proper handwashing of all residents to fight COVID-19.
In a statement, Agoo Mayor Stefanie Ann Eriguel said the siren will alarm every two hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily as part of the health campaign.
She also said a curfew would be strictly enforced from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
All computer shops, game arcades, fitness gyms, videoke bars, and entertainment-related business establishments in the town would be temporarily closed, the mayor said.
According to her, all businesses that were required to close due to COVID-19 would be entitled to a tax relief.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak started in China’s Wuhan City in Hube province in late 2019.
People who have COVID-19 could recover since for most people, its symptoms were mild like fever and cough. But the illness could also be worse or serious for others such as pneumonia, especially for older adults and those with existing health problems.
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic as it has infected more than 150,000 people and killed over 5,000 all over the world. The Philippines has so far confirmed 140 people with COVID-19, including 11 deaths.