OFFICIALS of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental have assured that the port in Balingoan town employs strict quarantine protocols after Camiguin province logged its first confirmed Covid-19 patient.
Lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, spokesperson of the MisOr Provincial Task Force on Covid-19, said measures are already in place in Balingoan port, the entry port to the island province.
Saclot said those who would deliver necessities and essentials to Camiguin will not disembark from the vehicle at the port, but they would undergo disinfection procedures upon their return.
"Dili mapugngan ang delivery of basic commodities like food, medicines padulong didto, so strikto ang Balingoan port in terms of protocol. Katong mag deliver og necessities sa Camiguin dili monaog pero pagbalik, moagi na og disinfection ang truck ug ang tawo," Saclot said.
"We are assuring the public nga estrikto sa Balingoan port para malikayan ang spread sa Covid-19," he added.
Saclot added that the Covid-19 patient of Camiguin did not pass through the Laguindingan Airport.
"Wala to niagi sa Laguindingan airport. Diretso to siya sa Camiguin kay naa may airport ang Camiguin," Saclot said.
Camiguin has banned the entry of people as the island was placed under preemptive community quarantine since March 24.
In a similar development, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has ordered residents of the province who work in Cagayan de Oro City to secure a road/travel pass from their city or town health officer and present it with valid company or office Identification card or certificate employment at the checkpoints to be allowed passage.
Emano issued an executive order on Monday, April 6, setting forth additional guidelines in implementing the province-wide general community quarantine, particularly in quarantine control points across the province.
The governor also ordered that residents of the component city or municipality who return home from Cagayan de Oro City shall not be recorded as persons under monitoring (PUMs).
Emano said checkpoints set up by barangay government within the city or municipality shall be allowed except along the national road, provided that it is coordinated with the city or municipal joint task group and directly supervised by the city or town police chief.
This is to ensure safe and unimpeded passage of food products, basic and essential commodities and authorized personnel categorized in the medical, agricultural, industrial and utilities sectors, among others.
No backrider is allowed on motorcycles or bicycles.
Wearing of face mask is not mandatory. All establishments, both public and private, including food establishments and drug stores, are prohibited to require clients/customers to wear face masks.
Vehicles with stickers issued by the police at a particular checkpoint shall be allowed to pass through other checkpoints with ease.
Red stickers are for emergency vehicles; blue are for vehicles carrying basic necessities, including but not limited to food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment; and white for private vehicles.
The order also said residents who go out of their respective homes to buy necessities, including but not limited to food, grocery items, medicines, etc. shall present their home quarantine pass at the checkpoints to be allowed passage.