The provincial government of Pampanga extended its curfew and liquor ban from Monday, April 5 to Thursday, April 15 to help continue curbing the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“So ang paghihigpit po natin dito sa probinsya, base na po ito sa rekomendasyon ng ating mga mayors. Extend ho tayo to April 15,” Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda said in a live briefing.

Under Executive Order No. 5, Pampanga earlier implemented  a province-wide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m as well as a ban on the sale and consumption of any alcoholic beverage starting March 20 and ending April 5.  

Meanwhile, workers are not included in the curfew. 

Pineda said local officials believe the number of cases would be down by the end of the period.

Pampanga was hit with 1,500 new Covid-19 cases from March 15 to March 30, three times bigger than its previous report. 

“Halos pumapalo na tayo ng 1,500, 15 days. So kailangan pa rin natin ng paghihigpit. Tulad rin ho ng sinabi sa inyo, hindi pa natin kaagad ito makikita sa loob ng isang linggo,” Pineda said.

 The governor advised his constituents to avoid inviting visitors during this time. 

“Dahil ang cases ho natin ngayon puro pamilya ho ang tinatamaan. Saan nanggagaling? Halos yung mga family gathering. Kaya nakikiusap ako, sumunod muna tayo,” he said.

He also called on authorities to work with the local government and immediately seize violators. 

“Wala na hong usap-usap. Damputin ninyo. Kayong mga pulis, tigilan niyo nang nakikipag-usap pa sa kanila. Pag nakita niyong nag violate, damputin ninyo, kasuhan niyo na agad,” he said.

Pampanga has reported 9,705 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 7,772 have recovered and 489 have died.  Ronald dela Cruz