Vigan City to remain under MECQ until September 19

LAOAG CITY—The imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Ilocos Sur’s capital city of Vigan has been extended anew until September 19 amid rising number of COVID-19 cases, according to Governor Ryan Luis Singson. The MECQ status, which is the second most strict containment classification in the country, in the city was supposed to be lifted on Sept. 7. In an executive order issued on Friday, Singson said that the “threat of COVID-19 in the [p]rovince remains very high and alarming” amid intervention and implementation of health measures. Aside from the capital city, Singson also placed the towns of Bantay, Cabugao, San Juan, Sinait, and Sto. Domingo under the same classification status for two weeks beginning Sept. 5. Singson said that there is a need to put these areas under stringent quarantine restrictions after considering various factors such as “doubling case time of the disease, health indicators, economic and social security.” While these areas are under MECQ, the movement of persons will be strictly limited to accessing essential goods and services, said Singson. Local residents are allowed to undergo individual outdoor exercises but only within the “general areas of their residence” while maintaining minimum public health standards. A curfew would also be imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., added Singson. As of September 3, Ilocos Sur has logged a total of 8,321 COVID-19 cases, including 1,904 active infections, 6,257 recoveries, and 163 deaths, according to the data from the provincial government.

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