More Eastern Visayas LGUs take cue from national gov’t, prolong COVID-19 quarantine period

TACLOBAN CITY — More local government units in Eastern Visayas, a region not covered by President Rodrigo Duterte’s enhanced community quarantine order for Luzon, are following the example set by the national government and prolonging their lockdown periods to stop COVID-19 transmission.

In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez extended the validity of restrictive community quarantine until April 28.

The restriction started last March 21 and was supposed to end last April 12.

Those coming from areas where there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 are barred from entering the city. Only medical workers or those in need of medical help are allowed to enter the city.

The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas (DOH) had confirmed COVID-19 cases in Catarman in Northern Samar, Calbayog City and the town of Tarangan, both in Samar province.

Police in Tacloban City roam the streets to apprehend violators of the city quarantine measure, like those out in the streets without face masks.

In Eastern Samar, the provincial government also extended the validity of a general community quarantine until the end of April.

Festivals, or fiesta celebrations, are barred in the province during the quarantine period.

Edited by TSB