THE province of Camiguin has banned the entry of people, orders the closure of several business establishments, and suspends its public transportation operations, as the island is now placed under preemptive community quarantine amid the threats posed by coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo on Monday, March 23, issued an executive order placing the province under preemptive community quarantine from March 24 to April 12 "unless earlier lifted or extended as the circumstances warrant," to implement measures against the possible spread of the virus.
The order said no person shall be allowed entry in the province except for drivers and loaders of cargo-carrying vessels provided that they observe appropriate social distancing measures. Vehicles, drivers and loaders who are not from Camiguin shall immediately depart after finishing their business in the province.
Also exempted are personnel of vessels operating to and from Camiguin provided that they abide by the protocols, rules and regulations set by the Provincial Health Officer; medical and health professionals and personnel who work in or are assigned to hospitals in Camiguin and Rural Health Units (RHUs).
Officials and employees of national government agencies assigned in the provincial field, division district or satellite offices of such agency in Camiguin including the police, military, coast guard deployed in the province are also exempted.
Also exempted are Camiguin residents who were patients in health facilities outside the province and their accompanying relatives provided that they provide proof of admission to or treatment in such health facilities.
But persons exempted with the order shall be required to comply with all health and medical protocols before being actually allowed entry and shall undergo mandatory self-quarantine.
Departure from Camiguin is allowed but before leaving, they shall be required to sign a document indicating that they understand and acknowledge that they shall not be allowed entry into the province for the duration of the preemptive community quarantine unless they were among those exempted personalities stated.
The executive order also directs tourists, visitors and non-resident foreign nationals to leave the province immediately.
Free movement of goods shall remain free, unhampered and unimpeded.
All establishments are ordered closed to customers except for those that provide basic necessities and services such as supermarkets, grocery, convenience and sari-sari stores, distributors and wholesalers of food and beverage products, pharmacies, water refilling stations, farms, agricultural and veterinary supply stores, medical and veterinary clinics, hardware and supply stores, banks, money transfer and remittance centers, courier service outlets, gas stations, power and water utilities, telecommunications and cable television service providers, and funeral parlors.
But these establishments shall utilize a skeletal workforce, implement proper social distancing measures, provide frontline personnel with appropriate personal protective equipment and make hand sanitizing products readily available in their premises.
Also, restaurants, eateries and snack bars shall only provide take-out and delivery service to customers. Congregation and consumption of food inside the premises is prohibited.
The order also directs resorts, hotels, inns, cottages, homestays and other similar establishments to suspend offering accommodations, lodging and use of their facilities to the public. These establishments are encouraged to perform maintenance and repair works and upgrade their facilities during the quarantine period.
Tourist spots and attractions, pools, parks, plazas, gym, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, whether public or private shall also be closed to the public.
Government offices shall remain open to serve the public subject to their office policies on reduced working days or work hours and other alternative work arrangements.
The Provincial Government also ordered the public to stay at home and movement outside the home shall be allowed only for the purpose of procuring basic necessities and services and in the case of medical emergencies.
However, there shall only be one person per household, at any one time, allowed to go out of the house to procure basic needs. Village chiefs shall issue one quarantine pass to each household.
The Provincial Government has also implemented a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. regardless of age. The quarantine pass shall not be effective during the curfew period and establishments allowed to operate shall close during the curfew hours.
On the other hand, state security forces and barangay governments shall establish checkpoints and conduct patrols to ensure that measures are strictly implemented.