By URIEL C. QUILINGUING, Contributing Editor
CAMIGUIN has been in a virtual lockdown mode since Tuesday morning when a preemptive community quarantine order took effect to prevent the entry and contain the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
“The spread could be rapid in Camiguin due to the small size and closely-knit population,” said Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo Monday after the issuance of Executive Order No. 15 which placed the island province under precautionary measures against the global contagion.
Camiguin has two patients who are “under investigation,” and one of them was declared negative of Covid-19 by the regional health office Sunday night. Barangay health emergency response teams of the province are monitoring the health status of 178 persons who are undergoing home quarantine.
“Many PUMs who are willfully not undertaking their mandatory self-quarantine and not complying with the health protocols they are required to observe,” said Romualdo, hence he ordered the imposition of curfew, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all residents province-wide have been imposed.
This, even as the governor appealed to all residents in the province to stay home for the entire duration of the preemptive community quarantine and assured them one quarantine pass will be given to every household.
The quarantine pass, which must be presented in checkpoints, will enable the household member to leave the house to buy food, medicine and other necessities from groceries, pharmacies, and stores that have been exempted from closure orders.
But all tourism-related and non-essential establishments such as resorts, cottages and tourist spots have been ordered closed.
Romualdo’s directive also put in place checkpoints though he has already suspended public transport operations all over the island. These are manned by police and health personnel with the assistance of barangay and municipal workers.
He, however, assured all drivers and loaders of cargo-carrying vehicles, transporting basic and essential commodities, will be allowed entry to and around the island but are required to leave immediately upon the conclusion of their business.
“Free movement of goods must be unhampered and unimpeded,” stated the governor’s order.
Also exempted from the order are personnel of vessels operating to and from Camiguin, medical and health professionals and personnel, persons with health issues, and officials and personnel who form part of the skeletal force in government offices.
