By J. Jala | 11:40 PM April 08, 2020
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap on Wednesday approved the extension of the enhanced community and home quarantine in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was due to end on Sunday, April 12, but would be extended until April 30.
He signed Executive Order 22 which will be the “strictest implementation of all the quarantine measures in Bohol province.”
The calibrated quarantine measures—such as travel ban of in-bound passengers, suspension of classes, province-wide curfew and strict home quarantine, liquor ban, strict social distancing, prohibition against mass gathering, mandatory use of face masks, regulated operation of business establishments and imposition of “one-household, one-pass” policy will continue to be observed.
In a press briefing, Yap said the ECQ will allow the concerned agencies time to prepare for entry of people who are coming back to Bohol.
Isolation and quarantine centers prepared for returning Boholanos who come from risky provinces and cities.
He explained that isolation centers are for persons that are exhibiting influenza-like symptoms, while quarantine centers are for proper monitoring of new arrivals.
He also said hospitals such as the Gov. Celestino Gallares Hospitals and Don Emilio Del Valle Hospitals in Ubay are being prepared to accept patients.
The Capitol Annex with 71 beds and Bohol Cultural Center with 45 beds and National Irrigation Administration in Ubay town with 60 beds are now being readied.
The Bohol Island State Universitu (BISU) in Dauis is being prepared also as isolation center.
He said entry to Bohol will be facilitated depending on availability of quarantine centers. Protocols will be decided in consultation with mayors and based on lifting of the “No Sail Policy” of the Philippine Coast Guard.
He said personal protective equipment (PPEs) and intensive care equipment such as ventilators are inadequate as scarcity is experienced worldwide.
He said aggressiveness in prevention is strongly recommended.
Mass testing to be made more available, he added.
Yap reported that there were 9,243 persons under monitoring (PUM) in Bohol but it decreased to 399 as of today, April 8.
He said Bohol remains COVID-free but the risks for COVID-19 remain high for entry in Bohol as cases in other provinces are still rising.
The COVID-19 disease is declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.
