Tight border checkpoints back in Bulacan to curb COVID-19 surge

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando. Photo from his Facebook page

CITY OF MALOLOS –– Gov. Daniel Fernando has reactivated tight border checkpoints and prohibited all mass gatherings as part of the restrictions under a general community quarantine starting March 22.

In an executive order, Fernando said the number of people attending weddings, baptismal, and funeral gatherings would also be reduced to 10.

Fernando said restaurants are allowed to operate on a take-out and delivery mode. Al fresco dining is allowed provided there are additional engineering and administrative controls set up for safety. Outdoor al fresco is allowed with only 50-percent capacity.

All tourism and sports activities are suspended, except those in open-air places, he said.

Nearly 500 COVID-19 cases were added to the province’s tally in less than a week. As of Monday, Bulacan recorded 14,513 infections since last year.

The fatalities related to COVID-19 also rose to 495, records from the provincial health office showed.

Among the latest COVID-19 deaths are a capitol employee and a known philanthropist couple, said Dr. Protacio Bajao, head of Bulacan Infection Control Center.

All Bulacan hospitals have begun implementing a COVID-19 surge plan as intensive care units, wards, and isolation areas of government and private hospitals could soon reach their full capacities.

LZB