Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda said health authorities have already detected four cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 in Pampanga province.
This, as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed Pampanga under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) but Governor Pineda has imposed more restrictions to prevent the spread of the Delta variant in the province.
Gov. Pineda on Friday identified the four as the 18-year old woman from Mexico town known only as MM1467 who is now staying in Manila since June 20 and the other three as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Gov. Pineda expressed fears on the increasing number of COVID cases per day around 100 cases daily in the last 30 days which affected individuals aged 21-40 years old.
The governor has issued Executive Order No. 17, a day after consulting with members of the Pampanga Mayors’ League. EO No. 17 imposed serious compliance with the minimum public health standards like the wearing of face mask and shield, distancing of 1-2 meter, frequent handwashing, rubbing alcohol on hands and cough etiquette.
The EO will take effect from Aug. 2 to Aug. 15, 2021. “Kailangan po nating maghigpit. Kakayanin natin kung magtutulungan tayo. Kailangan ko po ang kooperasyon ninyo. Sumunod po tayo sa executive order para maproteksyonan ang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay,” said Governor Pineda.
Starting on Friday night, non-Pampanga residents are required to present negative results of RT-PCR or antigen tests done 48 hours before they enter Pampanga province.
Governor Pineda is expecting the influx of non-residents before ECQ is implemented in the NCR on Aug. 6.
The EO reactivated barangay checkpoints and border controls under the supervision of the PNP, and banned residents from going from one village to another. A curfew has been imposed from 10PM to 5AM, with the governor exempting workers and business people.
“Tuloy ang hanapbuhay,” the governor said.
People aged 18-60 years old are allowed to go out of their homes while senior citizens and minors are told to stay home. The governor also imposed a liquor ban.
Holding social gatherings in resorts, function halls and covered courts require written permits from mayors/IATF chairs and limited to 30 percent of the venue capacity. Residential gatherings are limited only to family members of the same households. Guests in swimming pools in resorts and hotels are required to take RT-PCR or antigen tests.
Wakes for non-COVID-19-related deaths are limited to two nights and three days at 50 percent capacity. Mourners are covered by curfew.
Closed-door restaurants can serve up to 30 percent of venue capacity.
Open-area restos can use 50 percent of venue. He urged these establishments to opt to sell take-out meals. People should not loiter and gather on streets and roads. The regulations of public markets are left to the mayors.