Aklan placed under MECQ as COVID-19 cases spike

The quarantine classification of the province of Aklan was escalated to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from general community quarantine (GCQ) classification due to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases.

The national Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) on Saturday approved the request of the provincial government of Aklan to shift to the much stricter MECQ from August 1 to August 15, 2021.

Based on data from the Department of Health Region 6 (DOH-6), the average daily attack rate of COVID-19 in the province was classified as high-risk.

As of August 1, the average daily attack rate in the province is at 21.29 percent in the recent 1-2 weeks, higher than the 18.24 percent in the previous 3-4 weeks.

The utilization rate of COVID-19 ward beds in Aklan is at critical level of 90.74%.

COVID cases in Aklan have been soaring in July and even recorded consistent three-digit new cases in the last week of the same month.

From July 1 to July 31, Aklan recorded 3,735 new cases, which is the second highest next to Iloilo province with 4,603.

Meanwhile, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores issued Executive Order (EO) No. 019 on Sunday setting the MECQ guidelines in Aklan.

Under the EO, indoor or outdoor tourist attractions; entertainment venues with live performances; recreational venues; meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions; social events in eligible venues; beauty salons; and other personal care services shall be prohibited.

Indoor and outdoor dining shall not be allowed except for takeout or delivery services.

Only Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) as identified under Section 7 (2) (a) of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, repatriated overseas Filipino workers or returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) of Aklan with quarantine certificates and returning Aklanons with notice of coordination and acceptance from their municipality of destination will be allowed to enter the province.

Travelers from Western Visayas will be allowed to enter the mainland, including APORs from within the region entering Boracay Island on official business; drivers, helpers of delivery trucks with QR Code; and passing through travelers with online health declaration card (OHDC) for QR code and S-PaSS travel coordination permit from their LGU of destination.

Movement of persons within the province are also limited to accessing goods and services that are allowed to operate under MECQ. (ERS)