Iloilo tightens travel to areas with COVID-19 cases

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. issued on April 2, 2020 Executive Order No. 100 imposing tighter travel restrictions to places with confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Under the new order, travel to and from municipalities, city and barangays under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) with confirmed local transmission of COVID-19 will be restricted.

The entire province was placed under ECQ through Executive Order No. 080 on March 20, 2020, as part of the province’s response to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Exempted from travel restrictions, subject to strict quarantine measures:

– Government officials, employees or personnel travelling in performance of their functions;

– Persons travelling to address a health emergency or need that cannot be catered within the municipality, city or barangay;

– Medical personnel and health or humanitarian workers travelling in performance of their functions;

– Persons authorized to travel within the province and Iloilo City will be allowed to pass through the municipality, city or barangay to any point in the province or Iloilo City;

– Frontline workers and those allowed to do business under EO 80, accompanying crew and driver of common carriers, transport vehicles or delivery trucks for trade, commerce or agriculture, delivery of  social or humanitarian services, fishing or marine activities, and scientific or academic pursuit.

Persons who are reside outside but were stranded in a municipality, city or barangay under stricter quarantine will be allowed to leave.

As of April 2, 2020, there are five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, with two deaths, one each in the municipalities of Guimbal and Lambunao.

There are also confirmed cases in the municipalities of Barotac Nuevo and Miag-ao.

Defensor clarified that the restrictions are not only imposed on Guimbal and Lambunao, but will also apply to other municipalities, Passi City, and the barangays which may have confirmed COVID-19 cases in the future.