Checkpoints in Zambales province have been set up to enforce health protocols strictly. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales —The province will revert to a stricter quarantine restriction as its number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, an official said on Thursday (Aug. 19).
Dr. Noel Bueno, provincial health director, said the province would be placed on general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions starting Saturday (Aug. 21). GCQ is the third most restrictive quarantine classification in the country.
Zambales is currently on modified general community quarantine, the least form of quarantine.
Under GCQ, the curfew will now be from 8 p.m until 5 a.m the next day, Bueno said.
The province will also maintain its other heightened restrictions, including the mandatory COVID-19 testing at the borders.
Bueno said that residents traveling daily to work outside the province should also undergo weekly rapid antigen tests.
Employers and private institutions are now encouraged to shoulder the cost of testing for their workers.
To date, the province has reported a total of 5,131 COVID-19 cases since last year. At least 641 of these are still active, while 147 have died.