Several Eastern Visayas gov’ts tighten rules to curb COVID-19 spread

TACLOBAN CITY –– As the number of COVID-19 cases in Eastern Visayas continued to increase, several local governments in the region are tightening measures to contain the spread of the virus.

In this city, Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued on Monday, June 7, another executive order closing major border points to control the entry of those coming from outside the city.

He also directed those who will enter a hotel, lodging inn, or pension house to have a swab test or antigen test showing negative results three days before their admission to these establishments.

Beerhouses, karaoke bars, and similar establishments are prohibited from operating starting Tuesday, June 8.

Tacloban has 315 active COVID-19 cases with 70 deaths.

In Catbalogan City, Samar, Mayor Dexter Uy has issued an order placing all 57 barangays of the city under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) due to its increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Catbalogan has 1,353 COVID-19 cases with 14 deaths.

In Biliran province, the provincial inter-agency task force has also prohibited the return of locally stranded individuals starting June 8 to June 24.

However, returning overseas workers and those who secured acceptance certificates from their respective local governments will be allowed to enter the province.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported 116 new COVID-19 cases in Eastern Visayas, bringing its total number of infections to 20,534.

LZB