4 towns, cities under lockdown in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY — Four towns and cities in Albay province had been placed under lockdown after the confirmation of two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the province Friday night.

The Department of Health in Bicol confirmed that two male patients tagged as PH765, a 50-years-old and PH766, a 53-years-old, tested positive for COVID-19.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal confirmed that an American citizen who arrived in the city consulted at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital due to coughing and had his swab test.

“[He] rented in Barangay 13 and we were able to locate him in an apartment in Barangay 8,” Rosal said.

Rosal has ordered a total lockdown on Friday night in Barangay (8) Bagumbayan, (13) Ilawod West and (14) Ilawod.

In an interview, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara confirmed that the other COVID-19 positive was a resident of Bacacay town.

Bacacay Mayor Armando Romano also imposed a lockdown in the entire town for 24 hours starting 12 a.m. Saturday.

“All residents must stay at home and all establishments should be closed,” Romano announced on Saturday. Only the authorized persons would be allowed to go out and any violators would be arrested.

In Tabaco City, Mayor Cielo Krisel Luistro has ordered the closure of borders also effective 12 a.m. Saturday.

Luistro said they would not allow non-residents to enter the city aside from the frontliners.

Only those with quarantine pass would be allowed to go out to buy basic necessities.

Mayor Joseling Aguas Jr. of Sto. Domingo town has also imposed a similar 24-hour lockdown where all borders, establishments and public market would be closed.

Aguas also suspended the issuance of barangay and municipal quarantine passes to assure that all residents would stay indoors.