CAOAYAN, Ilocos Sur, July 30 (PIA) – Caoayan Mayor Germelina Goulart issued Executive Order No. 18 placing this municipality under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from July 30 to August 13 due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
 
Earlier, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur issued Executive Order No. 88 extending the imposition of general community quarantine in Caoayan from July 21 until August 4.
 
“Despite the measures implemented in the municipality, there are additional 13 cases recorded on July 28. Said increase of cases is very alarming, which needs mmediate intervention to control the number of cases through the implementation of stricter measures,” Mayor Goulart said.
 
With the MECQ status in place, Goulart provided the guidelines and necessary protocols which will be implemented in the municipality.
 
All constituents who are exiting their barangays and the municipality shall present the quarantine pass distributed to their households at the established exit and entrance points. Workers may present their company IDs or certificate of employment when going to work.
 
Each barangay in the municipality shall establish their own checkpoint to monitor all people who are entering and exiting their barangay. This is to ensure that all travels or movements shall be for accessing essential goods and services, for work-related purposes and for emergencies.
 
All barangays will close down or barricade other roads aside from their established entrance and exit.
 
Each barangay shall strictly implement and monitor the “one exit/entrance-per day-per household” protocol.
 
Callaguip checkpoint as exit going to Vigan City and Beddeng checkpoint as entrance going to the municipality will double check travelling constituents. Said checkpoints shall be manned by the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection personnel.
 
For easier contact tracing of people entering and exiting the municipality, the StaySafe.ph contact tracing application shall be established at the Callaguip and Beddeng checkpoints. Residents are advised to download the application from the Play Store or App Store of their mobile phones. Steps on how to register and download the StaySafe.ph QR codes and how to use the application are posted at the Facebook account of the municipality: Pardas Caoayan IS.
 
Strict quarantine (total lockdown) shall be observed in households with identified members as positive of COVID-19. Affected households shall be provided with relief packages by the local government unit (LGU).
 
Those below 18 years old, over 65, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times except for emergencies.
 
People from other municipalities shall present their ID and quarantine pass issued from their municipality and state the purpose of their travel inside Caoayan upon discretion of the border control.
 
Gatherings on the street or outside of residences shall be prohibited. However, gatherings that are essential for the provision of health services, government services or humanitarian activities  authorized by appropriate government agency or instrumentality shall be allowed.
 
Gatherings in residences with any person outside of one’s immediate household shall likewise be prohibited. Parties and other celebrations shall be limited amongst the immediate family members only.
 
Food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, enclosed restaurants and eateries shall be allowed to operate but limited to 30% dine-in capacity.
 
General curfew is from 10p.m. to 5a.m.
 
Lastly, minimum public health standards which include physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and wearing of face masks and face shields, among others shall be strictly implemented in the LGU. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)