Pampanga gov’t extends curfew, liquor ban until April 15

The provincial government of Pampanga has extended the curfew and liquor ban over the province from Monday, April 5 to Thursday, April 15 to curb the spread 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.

[The stricter measures if based on the recommendation of our mayors. It will be extended to April 15.]

Under Executive Order No. 5, Pampanga earlier imposed 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 until April 5.

Workers are still exempted from the curfew.

However, Pineda said Pampanga officials did not think the number of cases would have gone down sufficiently by the end of the period.

Pineda said the number of COVID-19 cases in the province hit 1,500 from March 15 to March 30, three times higher than its previous cases.

“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 maakita sa loob ng isang linggo,” Pineda said.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, the governor urged residents to refrain from accepting visitors at this time.

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

[Because our cases right now are affecting households. Where are they coming from? Almost all are from family gatherings. This is why I’m urging the public to please follow protocol.]

Pineda also urged authorities to coordinate with the local government and asked them to immediately arrest 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.

[There’s no need for negotiating. Pick them up. Police officers don’t negotiate with violators anymore. If you see anyone violating, pick them up, file a complaint immediately.]

Meanwhile, he asked previous residents to refrain from visiting their families during the Holy Week as they do not know if they are carriers of the virus.

Pampanga has reported 9,705 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 7,772 have recovered and 489 have died. --NB, GMA News