Lower Bicutan’s Purok 5 and 6 to be placed under ECQ by Wednesday night

MANILA, Philippines – The Purok 5 and 6 of Lower Bicutan in Taguig City would be placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) again because of a “clustering” of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

In a post on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, the Taguig local government said that the localized lockdowns would start by 6:00 p.m. of Wednesday, and would last until July 1.

The switch to an ECQ, while the rest of Metro Manila’s quarantine restrictions were eased, was recommended by Taguig’s City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CEDSU).

Due to these developments, the movement of people in the area is restricted only when buying essential goods.

“Movement of all residents shall be restricted only to purchase of essential goods; residents must have their Taguig Unified Quarantine Pass when going out to buy essentials,” Taguig’s local government unit (LGU) said.

“In accordance with the rules on ECQ, employees of establishments providing essential goods and services who reside in Puroks 5 & 6 shall be allowed to report to work,” they added.  “All residents of Purok 5 & 6 are advised to use the next 24 hours to inform their employers and other family members of the localized quarantine.”

https://www.facebook.com/taguigcity/posts/3449304678435331

While the lockdown is in effect, the government vowed to do contact tracing to identify possible coronavirus-infected patients.  Those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are urged to call their respective Barangay Health Centers.

“Active case finding will be initiated. Those who are experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their Barangay Health Center through their TeleMedicine hotline numbers at 0927-633-1095, 0961-734-0881, and 0961-734-0852,” Taguig noted.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte extended the GCQ over Metro Manila until June 30, to allow businesses to continue operating.

As of Monday, Taguig has 573 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 21 of which have died while 120 have recovered.  Lower Bicutan has one of the highest confirmed and suspected cases in the city, with 53 and 224 respectively.