Albay placed under GCQ due to spike in COVID-19 cases

LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara on Monday has placed almost all towns and cities in the province under general community quarantine (GCQ) due to the continuous surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Albay.

Bichara has issued Executive Order No. 16, placing 13 out of 15 towns and three cities in Albay under GCQ. The new directive has amended EO 14 issued on May 31, placing Legazpi City and the neighboring town of Daraga under the stricter quarantine category.

Bichara, also the chairperson of the Albay Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), in consultation with the Bicol IATF, has placed the towns and cities under GCQ until June 15.

Albay was considered earlier by the Department of Health (DOH) risk assessment as a moderate risk area for COVID and was placed under modified general quarantine (MGCQ), but due to the current surge in cases, it was deemed to be a high risk for COVID and thus placed under GCQ.

However, the new order exempted Jovellar and Rapu-rapu from the GCQ classification apparently due to the low number of cases recorded in these areas.

Bichara has based his directive on the latest report of the DOH in Bicol, citing that COVID cases in the entire province have continued to increase.

Bichara, also the chairperson of the Albay Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), in consultation with the Bicol IATF, has placed the towns and cities under GCQ until June 15.

Bichara directed all government units to set up and implement tighter health protocols and guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.

Under the GCQ, stricter health protocols would be enforced, such as limited movement of persons except in accessing essential goods and services and persons below 18 years of age and those over 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, and pregnant women are required to stay at home except in buying essential goods and services.

All mass gatherings such as, but not limited to, religious gatherings, necrological services, and visits to memorial parks, including operation of all tourist destinations, are reduced to a maximum of 30 percent capacity.

The minimum public health standards would be enforced.

The local government unit may impose a curfew.

A 50/50 split between work-from-home and on-site capacity is to be allowed for public and private establishments.

abc