BAGUIO CITY(PIA) -- The municipality of Luna in Apayao is  placed on the most strict community quarantine following the surge of COVID-19 cases.
 
Apayao Governor Eleanor Bulut-Begtang issued Executive Order No. 36, Series of 2021, placing  Luna under Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 25 to September 8, 2021,   as part  of efforts to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the municipality.
 
The town  has been recording increasing number of COVID-19 confirmed  cases and as of August 25, 2021, Luna has recorded a total of 1,088 COVID-19  cases with 717 recoveries, 366 active cases and five deaths.

Apayao  recorded 202 COVID-19 confirmed cases on August 25 , with  140 cases  from  Luna.

During the implementation of the ECQ, there will be imposition of stricter limitations on movement and transportation of people, strict regulation of operating industries, provision of food and essential services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce the community quarantine protocols.

The movement of all persons shall be limited to accessing goods and services from permitted establishments and for work in permitted establishments. Essential goods and services cover health and social services to secure the safety and well-being of persons, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy and others determined by the IATF.

Border control checkpoints particularly at the Luna-Pudtol boundary in Barangay Dagupan and the Apayao-Cagayan boundary in Barangay Quirino  are manned 24/7.    All barangays shall establish and man their respective checkpoints. 

Movement of Authorized Persons Outside Residences shall be allowed subject to documentary requirements   But is highly discouraged and they are strongly encouraged to stay where they are.
 
Pass slips shall be issued at the entry of the border control points for APORs passing through and to be returned at the exit and they shall present their identification cards at the checkpoints.
 
Gatherings outside residences and gatherings at residences with any person outside of one’s immediate household shall be prohibited. However, gatherings that are essential for the provision of health services, government services, humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government agency or instrumentality maybe    allowed.
 
Religious leaders may conduct services through online video recording and transmission, necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals  
 
The governor continues to remind the public to strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards and other safety protocols to ensure protection against the COVID-19 and the Delta variant which was recently detected in three of the cases in the municipality of Pudtol. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)