THE Provincial Government of Guimaras further restricted the movement of persons to arrest the spread of Covid-19 on the island.
Governor Samuel T. Gumarin issued Executive Order No. 24, series of 2021 that will limit the outbound travels of Guimarasnons as well as the inter-zonal movement effective June 7, 2021.
Gumarin emphasized that the Provincial Government must double its efforts to curb the rising cases of Covid-19 infections as the province's healthcare system is already overwhelmed.
"The situation now needs drastic measures. We can not just sit kag lantawon lang nga magsige saka ang kaso sang Covid-19 sa probinsiya sang Guimaras. Kinahanglan naton mag-double time para makontrol ang paglapta sang virus as our healthcare system is already overwhelmed. Healthcare facilities in our neighboring provinces are also dealing with the surge of infections. Indi kita mahimo magsalig sa ila that is why we have to address the situation head-on," Gumarin said.
Under Executive Order No. 24, the only ports of entry to Guimaras are the Jordan Wharf, Buenavista Wharf and Ro-Ro Wharf in Hoskyn, Jordan.
Puyo Wharf in Nueva Valencia, Tacay Wharf in Buenavista and Sebaste Wharf in the Municipality of Sibunag shall be opened for trading/cargo purposes only.
Only highly essential inbound/outbound travels will be allowed. These include transport of basic commodities and necessities, medical reasons, exercise of profession and work-related transactions and other meritorious cases as may be determined by the Provincial Government.
Individuals found to be Covid-19 positive and those who show symptoms referable to Covid-19 shall not be allowed to enter the province.
Returning or visiting persons coming from outside Western Visayas shall present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result.
Business establishments except those that are considered essential such as markets, groceries/convenience stores, sari-sari stores, pharmacies, gasoline stations, water refilling stations, banks, money centers, clinics, hospitals, health facilities, funeral parlors, construction supplies, eateries, bakeshops, fast food chains, restaurants, agricultural/poultry supplies, motorcycle and auto supplies, vulcanizing shops and public utilities shall be closed.
Essential business establishments shall be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. only except for pharmacies that can operate from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. while hospitals and funeral parlors are exempted from the said business hour limitations.
Dine-in services in food establishments are still not allowed.
Sea vessels plying the Guimaras-Iloilo route, vice versa shall be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Public utility vehicles shall operate from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Mass gatherings including those that are religious in nature are not allowed.
However, meetings and/or gatherings initiated by the government to address the Covid-19 pandemic shall be allowed provided that minimum health protocols are strictly observed.
Local border restrictions shall be imposed where residents of the Municipalities of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo are restricted from going to the towns of Jordan and Buenavista except for reasons of work or work-related transactions, medical reasons, access to essential goods and other meritorious grounds as determined by the Provincial Government.
Guimarasnons residing in Buenavista and Jordan are prohibited from going to other municipalities except for reasons of work or work-related transactions, medical reasons, access to essential goods and other meritorious grounds as determined by the Provincial Government.
A travel pass shall be issued by the head of offices for those who work in government offices.
Non-government workers/individuals shall secure their travel passes from their barangays.
Ambulant vendors, peddlers and agents, and their regular selling and collection activities including "bulante" and other related transactions are temporarily restricted and suspended.
Residents of Sibunag are only allowed at Jordan Food Terminal Market during Wednesday/s and Saturday/s.
Nueva Valencia residents are only allowed at Jordan Food Terminal Market during Tuesday/s and Friday/s while residents of Jordan may transact at their own convenience.
The Buenavista Commercial Complex and Public Utility Market in Barangay McLain, Buenavista will only cater to the residents of Buenavista and San Lorenzo.
Residents of San Lorenzo are allowed at the Buenavista Commercial Complex and Public Utility Market during Monday/s and Thursday/s only while residents of Buenavista may enter the market premises at their own convenience.
The Department of Health Region 6 data shows that 90.32 percent of COVID-19 beds in the healthcare facilities of Guimaras have been occupied as of June 1, 2021, due to the surge in recorded cases.
The Province of Guimaras has 101 active cases of Covid-19 as of June 5, 2021, out of the 605 total cases recorded on the island. (PR)