SAN SIMON -- All non-Simonian ambulant vendors and illegal lending collectors are now banned from conducting business within San Simon town until further notice.

Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 34 S. 2020, which temporarily prohibits the entry of said persons in town.

Punsalan said the measure is aimed at reducing the threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the community by limiting the interaction between residents here and outsiders.

He disclosed that an ambulant vendor from another town recently posed a threat to Simonians, particularly workers of the municipal hall after she tested positive for Covid-19.

"We have not recorded a case of local transmission of Covid-19 so we are limiting outsiders as much as possible. We understand that people need livelihood but we also need to protect the lives of our people," Punsalan said.

Meanwhile, ambulant vendors from this town are discouraged from doing business in other municipalities to minimize the risk of being infected by the virus.

The mayor said the local government continues to formulate programs that can help displaced workers from this town, while also ensuring their health security.

"This is all new to us so we continue to ask for your understanding and cooperation as we wade through these negative effects of Covid-19," he said.