CITY OF ILAGAN –– The Isabela provincial government on Monday began its own “bubble” while shifting to the stricter general community quarantine (GCQ) until April 15, officials said.
On Sunday alone, the province recorded 214 new cases, raising the number of active infections to 976.
Most of the cases are in Santiago City and Roxas, Jones, and Mallig towns.
Lawyer Constante Foronda, the provincial inter-agency task force focal person, said the bubble set-up would last only until April 5, “unless further extended, modified, or withdrawn.”
Isabela’s bubble restricts travel in and out of the province except for essential purposes. Isabela was previously under modified community quarantine.
“No need for panic buying or alarm,” Foronda told the Inquirer, adding that drug stores, hospitals, and businesses giving essential goods and services would remain open.
Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano III said the measures under the GCQ include the ban on mass gatherings and dine-in or al fresco for restaurants.
The curfew will run from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The liquor ban will be imposed again.
In this city, five areas, including two posh subdivisions, were placed on lockdown from March 26-31 due to the spike of COVID-19 cases.
Under lockdown are the Capitol Hills Subdivision in Barangay Alibagu, Francisca Village Subdivision in Barangay Baligatan, Purok 3 in Fugu, Purok 1 in San Vicente, and Purok 1 in Arusip.
Mayor Josemarie Diaz has ordered the prohibition of operations of resorts, swimming pools, gatherings at rivers and picnic areas, and cockfights during the Holy Week or March 29 to April 4.