‘GHOST TOWN’: Ilonggos stay home amid COVID-19 fears

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Ilonggos are not taking any chances despite the fact that the province and city of Iloilo remains free from the new coronavirus.

The usually crowded places in the city were almost empty over the weekend amid concerns over the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Malls, streets, and restaurants catered to fewer customers as authorities suspend classes, events, and mass gatherings.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Friday has announced the suspension of classes in all levels in the metro starting on March 16 to March 31, 2020 through Executive Order No. 049.

The mayor warned that students will be barred from malls, bars, coffee shops, and other similar establishments.

During the suspension, the mayor said all personnel and students are advised to practice voluntary quarantine at home and avoid crowded places.

In a separate order, the mayor prohibited the non-essential entry to Iloilo of all persons travelling by sea from March 16 to April 14, 2020.

The mayor issued Executive Order No. 50 on Sunday, banning the entry of passengers travelling by sea coming from Metro Manila (and its cities), Batangas Seaport through the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) Ports and those who come from countries with confirmed cases of Covid-19.

According to the mayor, persons who will be allowed to enter Iloilo City include health care workers; authorized government officials; those travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons providing basic services and public utilities; and essential skeletal workforce among others.

Persons who are returning residents of Iloilo City and from the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Guimaras will be allowed provided that they are tested, cleared, and declared by accredited health authorities negative for COVID-19.

“The Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard are called upon to ensure the strict compliance with this EO. Those who will break the protocols prescribed in this EO or to violate the same shall face appropriate administrative and criminal sanctions,” he said.

Entry of cargo ships/vessels will be subject to compliance with the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) while crew or passenger of the cargo ships or vessels cannot be allowed to disembark from their ships from March 16 until 14 April 2020.

As of Sunday morning, Iloilo City is monitoring 150 persons who had travel history from Metro Manila.

Eight were recorded as persons under investigation (PUI) for the possible Covid-19 and were all admitted in the hospitals.