THE Provincial Government of Guimaras will once again tighten the enforced policies amid the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the province.
Governor Samuel Gumarin issued Executive Order 37, series of 2021 on September 7, shortening the operating hours of establishments in the island and restricting the conduct of activities deemed to cause the further spread of the virus.
Gumarin said that while the province is classified under general community quarantine (GCQ) by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Guimaras is still considered by the Department of Health as "high risk" with regard to Covid-19 transmission and the hospital care utilization rate is at "critical risk."
"Liwat na naman nagasaka ang Covid-19 cases naton diri sa probinsiya. Within the region, makita naton nga wala pa gid nagapanaog ang na-record nga mga cases. We have to take this seriously kag as early as we can, we have to put a halt to this community transmission or else kita gihapon ma-suffer because overwhelmed na ang aton health care system," Gumarin said.
Under Executive Order 37, only highly essential travels going into and outside Guimaras shall be allowed. Leisure travels are still suspended.
Returning or visiting persons coming from outside Western Visayas shall present a negative RT-PCR test before they can be allowed entry into the island. The test must be conducted three days before the travel date.
All business establishments are allowed to open except those that are engage in leisure activities such as but not limited to recreation centers, videoke/karaoke bars, billiard centers, tourism destinations and computer shops.
However, establishments shall be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. only except for pharmacies that may open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Hospitals and funeral parlors are exempted from the said business hour limitations.
Dine-in services in food establishments and resorts are suspended.
Accommodation establishments with valid DOT accreditation shall be allowed to accommodate clients up to 25 percent of their total capacity but ancillary amenities such as swimming pools, beaches and drinking bars should be closed.
Sea vessels are allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, public utility vehicles shall operate from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Mass and social gatherings including religious gatherings are suspended.
Meetings and/or gatherings are likewise prohibited, except for those initiated by the government in connection with Covid-19 responses and distribution of government grants and subsidies to the residents but health protocols shall be strictly observed.
Also, ambulant vendors and peddlers to include "bulante" activities will not be allowed.
Guimaras has 387 active Covid-19 cases as of September 6, 2021, with the Municipality of Nueva Valencia having the most number of active cases with 126, while Buenavista town has 94, Jordan has 75, San Lorenzo has 58, and the Municipality of Sibunag has 34 active cases. (PR)