CAMIGUIN (PIA)—Acting on the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 cases in the province, the Provincial Government of Camiguin requires residents to use a quarantine pass (QP) whenever they go out of their residence for essential purposes starting August 9. 

Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo issued Executive Order No. 99 or the order implementing a quarantine pass system in the Province of Camiguin, August 6, after recording the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Beta variant in the province.

“Beta variant is associated with increased transmissibility, a possible increased risk of hospitalization and death, and the possible ability to evade antibodies, has been confirmed while local transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has been confirmed in neighboring areas of the province,” Romualdo stated in the order. 

Under the said EO, punong barangays shall issue only one QP to each household in the barangay and should maintain a record of all QPs issued by them. The designated household member shall preferably be between 18-59 years of age, not pregnant, and should have no comorbidities. 

Also through the EO, a special quarantine pass (SQP) shall be required for a person to go out of his or her residence to procure goods and services in permitted establishments in a municipality other than where he or she resides. 

Persons without the said quarantine passes are not allowed to enter permitted establishments except for authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), with proper identification and credentials. 

“The use of CleanCamiguin quick response code shall remain a requirement for entry in all permitted establishments, regardless of presentation of QP, SQP or APOR status,” Romualdo added. 

Municipal governments of the province shall set barangay-based schedules for procuring goods and services to further assist their constituents. 

As of August 8, the province has recorded 135 COVID-19 confirmed cases of which 48 are from Mambajao, Mahinog (31), Guinsiliban (15), Sagay (7) and Catarman (27). 

Seven are availing the no quarantine policy. From March 2020-present, there are 626 recoveries and 25 deaths due to COVID-19 in the province. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)