IATF OKs halt in LSIs’ travel to Western Visayas, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur

Luggages of locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) and repatriated overseas Filipinos (ROFs) were piled up outside the Iligan COVID-19 Quarantine and Treatment Facility (ICQTF) upon their arrival in Iligan City from Metro Manila for the triaging and medical assessment before they undergo the 14-day home quarantine. (Divina M. Suson/File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Inbound travel of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to Western Visayas, Iligan City and Lanao del Sur are suspended, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases upon request from the areas’ local government units.

“Also approved by the members of the IATF, in its Resolution No. 69, are the requests of Region VI, Iligan, and Lanao del Sur to suspend the inbound travel of locally stranded individuals,” Roque said in a statement.

Iligan City and Lanao del Sur are under stricter lockdown or modified enhanced community quarantine until September 30.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas officials have required their residents, including overseas Filipino workers, to undergo quarantine and COVID-19 testing upon return to the region.

Local governments in the region asked for suspension of returning LSIs to allow their health personnel recuperate and to prepare isolation facilities.

JPV