By John Clifford Lintao
THE highly-infectious coronavirus disease is on a rampage in Western Visayas, prompting the re-imposition of stricter health measures, including longer curfews and selective lockdowns.
Aside from the hard lockdown in provinces and cities in the region, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas urged Iloilo Jaro Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo to seriously consider a halt in public Masses in churches – something that the prelate promptly complied.
The entire Iloilo province joins the rest of Western Visayas in the re-imposition of modified general community quarantine where church masses supposedly allowed at half of the churches’ capacity, are also on hold.
San Jose Bishop Marvyn Maceda likewise effected temporary halt of church masses and celebrations in Antique after a priest was exposed to an infected person.
The priest subsequently came in contact with other priests in the diocese. The prelate encouraged the faithful to participate in Holy Masses streamed on social media or broadcasted over radio and television stations.
Earlier reports had seven persons, including a 7-year-old girl from Dumangas town in Iloilo succumbed to COVID-19 while 142 others contracted the virus in Western Visayas in just two days.
As of this posting, Western Visayas has recorded 1,931 COVID-19 cases with 31 deaths and 957 recoveries, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
A liquor ban has also been re-imposed in Iloilo City by its local chief executive. A longer curfew hour guideline is also in effect — from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Interestingly, the city government also directed its city hall employees aged 55 and above to work from home.
A lockdown has also been imposed at the Iloilo City Terminal Market and Iloilo fishing port while six villages in the city were also placed under varying levels of quarantine restrictions.
Work in call center companies will be limited to 50 percent of its personnel starting on Monday after 28 call center agents tested positive for the disease. Other call centers agents will work from home.
Treñas appealed for understanding amid complaints especially from business operators.
“This is also a tough decision for me, but I choose the lives of many people rather than the income of the city. This is for the greater good of the people,” he said in a statement.
The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported 192 COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 8 with nine deaths and 66 recoveries.
Except for the longer curfew hours, public transportation in the city will continue to be available, malls will remain open and restaurants can still operate at 50-percent capacity.
In Bacolod City in Negros Occidental province, Mayor Evelio Leonardia also adjusted the curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. instead of starting at 10 p.m.
In the island province of Guimaras, Gov. Samuel Gumarin has issued an executive order tightening travel restrictions effective on Monday, Aug. 10.
Guimarasnons who have not returned to the island before Aug. 1 are required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine upon returning to the island unless they have tested negative in a swab test within the past three days.
Only non residents who are transporting basic commodities and necessities and traveling for emergency purposes will be allowed to go to the island.
Non-residents who render services or work in Guimaras will need to undergo weekly rapid testing