IRKED motorists and workers trying to enter Metro Manila Tuesday, March 17, were blocked at border checkpoints as police implemented stricter quarantine measures and refused entry to the capital region.
Only health workers, people transporting food and medical practitioners are allowed to pass through the checkpoints, authorities said.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared Monday evening, March 16, an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon effective immediately.
The declaration, which was made by the President in a recorded speech that was broadcast nationwide and on social media Monday evening, caught many of the island’s more than 53 million residents unawares.
Drivers of public utility vehicles such as taxi units and tricycles were stopped from further operating, causing some to grumble about the need to pay utility bills.
Workers in Metro Manila who reside outside the region tried to report for work Tuesday morning, but could not get past the checkpoints.
Even the police manning a checkpoint at the border between Cainta and Taytay towns in Rizal was confused.
“Hindi pa nga rin po malinaw sa amin ang order. Basta kung ano yung sinabi nila na papapasukin yun lang daw ang pwede. Naaawa din kami sa iba dito pero wala naman kami magawa kasi yun ang order sa amin,” he said.
Under an enhanced community quarantine, the people are supposed to just stay at home and only one person per household is allowed to go out to procure basic necessities.
Public transport systems are suspended, food and health services are regulated, and more uniformed men are deployed to impose the strict quarantine measures.
This drastic measure, which is similar to the lockdown imposed in Wuhan City in China, is aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus which is now wreaking havoc on more than 100 countries and the global economy.
There was not enough time to disseminate information on the stricter quarantine measures in Luzon because these took effect immediately.
The President merely approved the intensified measures and expanded the coverage of the general community quarantine that took effect in Metro Manila on March 15, less than 48 hours earlier.
In an advisory issued shortly after the President’s declaration was broadcast, the Department of Transportation said all public transport systems are suspended effective Tuesday.
These are the MRT-3, LRT-1, LRT-2, PNR, buses, jeepneys, taxis, transport network vehicle services, FX, UV Express, point-to-point buses, and motorcycle taxis.
Foreigners are given 72 hours to leave the Philippines. No Filipinos are allowed to leave the country.
Outgoing flights shall carry only foreigners and tourists while inbound flights will bring in only the repatriates.
Land, air and sea travel are suspended, except for uniformed personnel and those transporting medical supplies, laboratory specimens related to Covid-19 and other humanitarian assistance.
Private cars may be used by residents who are procuring basic necessities. But only one person per household is allowed to go out. (MVI from reports of Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)