KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 20 (PIA) — The entire municipality of Polomolok is placed under modified enhanced community quarantine from May 20 to May 26 to give time for health officials to trace contacts of South Cotabato's 4th COVID-positive case.
Gov. Tamayo said the declaration of the modified ECQ is necessary to restrict movement of residents in the municipality for the conduct of contact-tracing for close contacts of the confirmed case and to prevent possible spread of the deadly virus in the area.
“I issued an executive order to temporarily lockdown Polomolok to give us time to trace the close contacts of our COVID positive positive patient because he was highly mobile,” Gov. Tamayo said.
Not declaring an ECQ in the area will make the contact tracing activity difficult, he said.
In a separate interview, Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer, confirmed that the contact-tracing covers the movement of the patient 14 days prior to his medical checkup on May 6 in a health facility in General Santos City.
The patient, a 25-year old male had been treated for two months because of pulmonary problem. He was referred to the COVID facility on May 9. His RT-PCR result was released on May 17. The patient is currently in quarantine in an isolation facility of LGU Polomolok. His immediate family and close contacts have also been placed on mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Hannah Ebeo, health education promotions officer II, said South Cotabato IPHO has already coordinated with health officials in Gensan for the contact-tracing in their jurisdiction.
Polomolok Mayor Honey Lumayag-Matti immediately placed Barangays Rubber, Lumakil and Magsaysay under lockdown.
Meanwhile in its Facebook Page “Ugyon Polomolok,” municipal government issued guidelines for the modified ECQ.
All forms of public transport services, except tricycles with special permits to travel, are prohibited.
Tricycle movement is also restricted within barangay of origin to market or workplace back to the barangay of origin. The number of tricycles allowed to travel is limited as follows: 3 per purok in Barangays Poblacion and Cannery, 3 per purok in Magsaysay, 2 per purok in Silway 8 and 10 in other barangays in the municipality.
Habal-habal motorcycles (single motorcycles for hire) are prohibited from traveling. Tandem riding is allowed only for privately-owned single motorcycles if the passenger is a family member.
Workers reporting to work are required to bring company ID and certificate of employment. Those in the informal sector are required to present barangay certification and valid ID.
Only essential businesses or those related to food, medicine and other basic services are allowed to operate.
Curfew is effective from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Marketing schedule remains effective: Monday, Wednesday, Friday for residents of Barangays Poblacion and Magsaysay with Home Quarantine Passes (HQP); Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for residents of all other Barangays with HQP (except residents of Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Magsaysay; and Thursday for residents of other municipalities in South Cotabato with HQP.
Market is closed on Sunday for disinfection.
Social distancing and wearing of face masks in all public places is mandatory. (DED-PIA XII)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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