Albay to remain under extended enhanced community quarantine – Bichara

LEGAZPI CITY — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF) has allowed Albay province to extend its enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status until May 15, the Office of Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said Saturday.

Daniel Garcia, Bichara’s spokesperson, said the Office of the President, through Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), called Bichara at around 5 p.m., informing the governor that the province shall be placed under ECQ effective May 2.

Bichara also announced such a development in a post on his Facebook page Saturday afternoon.

This came after mayors in Albay asked the IATF to reconsider their decision to include the province among areas in Luzon that will be placed under general community quarantine beginning May 1.

Garcia, when asked if there would be an accompanying Executive Order (EO) by President Rodrigo Duterte officially retaining Albay under ECQ, said that the EO was now at the desk of the president for his signature anytime Saturday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced Friday that IATF has recommended the extension of ECQ in Albay province and Zamboanga City.

AITF made the decision during its Friday meeting, following the appeal of local officials of Albay and Zamboanga  City to extend ECQ in their areas to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes the severe respiratory ailment COVID-19.