CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Angeles and San Fernando have taken precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of their constituents against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which has now put the country in a State of Public Health Emergency.
In Angeles, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr ordered the police to strictly monitor the entry of foreigners coming from countries severely hit by COVID-19 namely China including Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy by having a 24-hour checkpoint in the city’s entry and exit points.
Similarly, hotels and similar establishments were asked to report all foreign guests coming from those countries.
“Beginning tonight, the city will be stricter on the entry of foreign nationals in the city. We have asked for the guidance of Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government on this matter,” he said.
Lazatin said the city will have 24/7 hotlines from Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) to receive concerns and reports regarding COVID-19.
ACDRRMO hotline numbers are (045) 322 7796 (landline); 0917 851 9581 (globe); and 0998 842 7746 (smart).
In San Fernando, Mayor Edwin Santiago announced the cancellation of Maleldo activities, mainly the reenactment of the crucifixion rites, which is an annual activity during holy week.
“We don’t have to panic. We just have to follow DOH protocols including the joint memorandum for holding public gatherings. We are not disrespecting [the flagellants’] religious beliefs and practices, but we actually are protecting them from the disease that may put them and their family at risk,” he said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease of San Fernando likewise issued Resolution No. 2020-001 recommending the adoption of the City Infection Control Policy for all public events.
Dr. Eloisa Aquino, City Health Officer, said organizers of events should strictly implement all the guidelines in handling guests during the activity.
These include monitoring of all participants in public events with infrared thermometers; providing the participants with hand sanitizers or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, surgical masks; and providing wastebaskets for the proper disposal of all types of wastes.
On top of this, the city encourages the public to avoid attending events that are crowded and practice self-protection measures to avoid transmission of the disease.