Laoag City—Intensifying its protective measures against COVID-19 spread, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), will purchase additional protective gears through the Quick Recovery Fund.
Listed on the purchase to be delivered this weekend or early next week are 500 complete sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), 500 vials of flu vaccines, 300 bottles and 20 gallons of alcohol, 115 bottles of disinfectant, 300 boxes of face mask, and 150 hyposol.
According to Task Force Salun-at the province also has ample supply of relief packs and medicines on standby, if needed.
It assured that PGIN is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Quarantine by equipping the Laoag International Airport with temperature scanner and competent health personnel.
Moreover, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc convened all the city and municipal mayors and health personnel to tackle the necessary actions in preventing the possible entry of COVID-19 in the province on March 13, 2020.
On March 16, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte placed the entire Luzon under “enhanced community quarantine” starting on 12 a.m. of March 17, 2020 until 12 a.m. of April 13, 2020. Duterte raised the alert level for COVID-19 to Code Red sub-level 2 on March 12, 2020.
Individuals coming from areas with COVID-19 cases, including Metro Manila, must undergo the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine, as stated in the Provincial Executive Order No. 60-20.
“It needs a community effort. [The mandatory self-quarantine is] not to alienate them but more so monitor them, and ensure that they are following protocol and necessary actions. We’ll find a way to protect the Ilokanos,” Mr. Manotoc remarked.
Mr. Manotoc placed Ilocos Norte under Community Quarantine to avert the spreading of the disease and maintain the status of the province as COVID-free on March 15, 2020. (PGIN-CMO)