Surgical lockdowns on 6 barangays with high number of COVID-19 cases

Six barangays in Iloilo City with the highest number of COVID-19 cases will be placed under surgical or selected lockdowns for a period of three days as part of the city’s measure to prevent the spread of the disease.

The lockdown took effect May 25, 2021 until May 28 in Balabago and Quintin Salas in Jaro, Calumpang in Molo, Dulonan and Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo and Calajunan in Mandurriao.

Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the lockdown on Tuesday through an executive order (EO) effective 6 pm.

Based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results gathered by the City Health Office from May 16-22, 2021, the five barangays and one subdivision recorded an increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Balabago has the highest with 23 cases followed by Sto. Niño Sur (22 cases), Quintin Salas (18), Calahunan (13), and Dulonan and Calumpang with 12 cases each.

The following areas will be placed under surgical lockdown in Dulonan, Arevalo: Zone 1, Paho Road; Zone 3, Denila Road (compound) and portion of Quezon Street along the National Highway; and Zone 7 Landheights Subdivision.

The lockdown in Sto. Niño Sur will be enforced in Zone 1, Avancena Subdivision; Zone 1, Villa Claro Subdivision (near Lomboy Chapel Area); and Zone 3 near Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Block 9 and Block 8, Ciudad de Iloilo in Calumpang, Molo will also be placed under surgical lockdown.

In Quintin Salas, Jaro, areas that will be placed under surgical lockdown include Zone 2, Imperial Subdivision specifically along King’s Road and Queen’s Road.

The following areas will also be placed under surgical lockdown: Phase 1, 1^st Street, Alta Tierra Village; 4^th street and 6^th street, Alta Tierra Village; Block 5, Centennial Homes; Block 6, Centennial Homes; Block 7, Landheights; and Block 20, Country Homes.

The EO mandates the imposition of curfew in the said areas from 8 p.m. up to 4 a.m.

In the duration of the localized containment, only authorized persons outside residence (APORs) specifically government officials; members of the COVID-19 Task Force; personnel from the Department of Health (DOH) and other key agencies; personnel distributing food and medicines; and sanitation personnel among others will be allowed to enter the affected areas.

All residents of the affected areas are strictly advised to stay at home and refrain from unnecessary travel until the lockdown has been lifted.

Under the EO, health authorities will conduct mandatory testing for all high-risk and medium-risk contacts of COVID-19 cases and continued contact tracing.

Meanwhile, barangay officials will implement the EO while the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire, and Public Safety and Traffic Management Office and force multipliers shall augment the barangay officials.