ILOCOS SUR, July 4 (PIA) – Two Ilocos Sur towns were the latest to be placed on a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to Governor Ryan Luis Singson.
In Executive Order No. 65, Governor Singson said the Provincial Task Force against COVID-19 recommended imposing MECQ on Banayoyo and Lidlidda towns from July 4 to 18.
MECQ is the second most restrictive quarantine classification in the country.
Both towns were previously on modified general community quarantine, the most relaxed quarantine status.
In the past days, the towns had experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases despite interventions and implementation of health measures, according to Singson.
As of June 3, Banayoyo and Lidlidda have seven and 17 active cases, respectively.
Singson also extended until July 15 the MECQ in Magsingal, which was supposed to be lifted on June 30.
The municipalities of Sinait and Sta. Lucia are also under MECQ until July 12.
On the other hand, the municipalities of Cabugao and Santo Domingo shifted from MECQ to general community quarantine (GCQ) from July 2 to 16 and July 5 to 19, respectively.
“After having been placed under MECQ for several weeks and having slightly reduced their recorded positive cases, the Provincial Task Force against COVID-19 recommended the reclassification status of Cabugao and Santo Domingo from MECQ to GCQ.
Further, the city of Candon and the municipalities of Bantay, Salcedo, San Juan and Sta. Cruz are also under GCQ until July 12.
Meanwhile in Sta. Cruz town, Acting Mayor Cesar Javillonar issued Executive Order No. 50 imposing granular lockdown and community quarantine protocols in certain areas of Barangay Poblacion Weste from June 30 to July 15 in relation to the 64th COVID-19 confirmed cases in the municipality.
Javillonar also issued an executive order which placed the entire Dili village under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from July 1 to 15 in order to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus in the municipality.
As of July 3, Ilocos Sur has recorded a total of 3,404 cases since the pandemic started last year, 744 of which remain active while 60 are mortalities. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)
