Following the entire Luzon island, the Davao Region (Region XI) will be under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) beginning Saturday, 9PM, April 4, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who is also chairperson of the region’s Task Force COVID-19, said the strict measures are meant to limit the mobility of people thus minimizing the risk of the further spread of COVID-19.
Under the ECQ, public mass transportation is suspended. There will also be a temporary closure of non-essential establishments
All public and private employees will have a work from home arrangement except for those working in health institutions, the police, the military, security agencies, sanitation, and disaster agencies.
Curfew hours will also be implemented from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
A liquor ban will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Food industry firms — like food manufacturing, food processing, food distribution and food packaging establishments — will continue operations.
Those who are permitted to go to work need to present their identification documents. Food and medicine pass, similar to a quarantine pass, will be given to residents who will go out to purchase essential supplies.
Minors, pregnant women and senior citizens are prohibited from traveling within the region, except for emergency purposes.
Duterte-Carpio assured residents of the region that there is no reason to panic because of the ECQ. She also assured residents of ample food supply and that relief distributions are ongoing within the Davao region.
She said the ECQ on the region will be in effect until further notice.
As of April 3, Davao Region has 69 COVID-19 of cases. Davao City has the highest with 57 cases, followed by Davao del Norte with six; Davao Oriental with three, Davao del Sur with two and Davao de Oro with one. Only the province of Davao Occidental remains COVID-19 free. (Rommel F. Lopez)