GUAGUA -- Mayor Dante Torres has extended the lockdown of the Guagua Public Market for the second time from August 24 to 26 as the municipal government imposed stricter health protocols for vendors and workers requiring them to accomplish health declaration forms.
Torres said that the extension aims to provide time for more health restrictions in place before the opening of the public market on Thursday.
Some 19 infections emanating from the public market were recorded by the town. One of the patients who got the virus from the market had died.
Torres said the extension is aimed at ensuring that the town has traced and isolated all known contacts of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients. He added that stricter safety measures will be implemented before the market will be opened to the public.
Guagua town now has 69 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Of the cases, 54 are active, while five had died.
Torres has placed the whole market area under total lockdown along with sections of Barangay Santo Nino since Monday, August 17.
The mayor said the town's slaughterhouse, which has since been relocated to San Rafael, will also be closed temporarily.
The Guagua Public Market is the biggest in Pampanga at 1.7 hectares and consists of 10 buildings. It serves the needs of second district towns, as well as coastal towns of Macabebe and Masantol.
Torres issued Executive Order 39-A on Monday, August 17, requiring all individuals to wear face shields in all public spaces in the town to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.