Bukidnon placed on lockdown due to COVID-19 threat

The local government of Bukidnon has placed the entire province on lockdown starting March 21 as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a notice issued by Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr., non-residents will not be allowed entry to the province in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

Exempted from the lockdown are health workers, employees and government officials whose work is related to responding to COVID-19, people and organizations providing humanitarian assistance, those who deliver supplies and other necessities, and employees and officials of the local government with official business.

Bukidnon joins other areas in Mindanao that have implemented a lockdown to combat COVID-19, including the Davao Region and Zamboanga Del Sur.

The entire Luzon has also been placed under an enhanced community quarantine starting March 17 until April 13 following the rise of COVID-19 cases in the island.

The Department of Health on Saturday said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 307, with 19 deaths. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News