Bontoc mayor extends ECQ in 5 barangays

Bontoc, Mountain Province Mayor Franklin Odsey has extended until February 7 the enhanced community quarantine in five barangays amid the rising cases of COVID-19.

According to a report on 24 Oras News Alert on Monday, the five barangays are Poblacion, Calutit, Bontoc Ili, Samoki and Tocucan.

The liquor ban and the 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew will still be followed due to the extension of quarantine status.

Odsey said motorists may still pass by the said barangays but stopovers are not allowed. Complete travel documents are also required.

Moreover, the 11 remaining barangays in the province were placed under general community quarantine.

As of Sunday, Bontoc still has 271 active cases of COVID-19. Of the number, 195 are asymptomatic.

Last week, the Department of Health confirmed the local transmission of the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 (UK variant) in Bontoc.

This was after a returning overseas Filipino who came from the United Kingdom traveled to Barangay Samoki with his wife last December after testing negative for COVID-19 upon arrival in the country. However, he began manifesting symptoms on December 29, three days after he met relatives for a ritual as part of their beliefs. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News