Localized lockdowns in Manila, QC amid increasing COVID-19 cases

The local governments of Manila and Quezon City have placed several areas under lockdown to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed an executive order placing two barangays and two establishments under a strict lockdown from March 11, 12:01 a.m., until March 14, 11:59 p.m..

In a Facebook Live Tuesday, Moreno said the following areas will be placed under lockdown:

• Barangay 725 in Malate, which has 14 active cases
• Barangay 351, San Lazaro, Tayuman, which has 12 cases
• Barangay 699, Malate Bayview Mansion, which has 14 cases
• Barangay 699, Hop Inn Hotel, which has three cases

The residents of the barangays will be prohibited from going outside their homes.

However, health workers, military personnel, service workers (pharmacies, drug stores, and funeral homes), utility workers (energy, cable, internet, telecommunication companies, water, sanitation, and critical transport facilities including port operation), essential workers (goods delivery, food delivery, banking and money services), barangay officials (Chairpersons, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurers, Kagawads, and Executive Officers), and media practitioners accredited by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Inter-Agency Task Force are exempted from the order.

The executive order directs the station commanders of police stations covering the barangays to employ and deploy officers and personnel in strategic locations and areas necessary for the effective implementation of the enhanced community quarantine guidelines.

As of Tuesday, the Manila Health Department recorded 154 new active cases bringing the total number to 988.

In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte said 12 areas in 11 barangays were placed under special concern lockdown for two weeks or 14 days.

These are:

• Portion of Durian Street, Barangay Pasong Tamo - starting February 25
• L. Pascual Street, Barangay Baesa – starting February 26
• De Los Santos Compound, Heavenly Drive, Barangay San Agustin – starting March 1
• No. 46 K-9th Street, Barangay West Kamias expanded to No. 46-50, K-9th Street, Barangay West Kamias – starting March 3 and 8
• 49 & 51 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Barangay Doña Josefa – starting March 4
• Paul Street and Thaddeus Street, Jordan Park Homes Subdivision, Doña Carmen, Barangay Commonwealth – starting March 4
• No. 237 Apo Street, Barangay Maharlika – starting March 4
• No. 64 14th Avenue, Barangay Socorro – starting March 6
• No. 64-B Agno Extension, Barangay Tatalon – starting March 7
• No. 90 Gonzales Compound, Barangay Balon Bato – starting March 8
• No. 2A – 4 K-6th, Barangay West Kamias – starting March 8
• Portion of Sitio 5, Jose Abad Santos, Barangay Sta. Lucia – starting March 9.

In an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB, Belmonte said they decided to implement the lockdown due to cluster cases which is a proof of community transmission.

She said the local government will provide food packs and essential kits to the affected families.

The mayor said no one will be allowed to go in or out of the special concern lockdown areas. She added no one will be exempted even the employees going to work.

“Sa kailangang magtrabaho, ang ginagawa natin ay susulat tayo sa kanilang employers, informing the employers na under the direction of the city government sila ay nasa lockdown area at kung pwedeng pagpasensiyahan ang kanilang absence at ‘wag sana silang tanggalin sa trabaho,” she said.

Belmonte said frontliners and essential workers are advised to live elsewhere while the lockdown is being implemented.

“Kasi pag lumabas sila at nagdala sila ng virus pabalik sa kanilang tinitirhan ay balewala na rin ang lockdown kaya pati ang may trabaho ay hindi natin sila pinapahintulutang lumabas o kaya pwede silang lumabas pero hindi na sila pwedeng bumalik. Makitira po muna sila sa kaibigan o kamag-anak,” she said.

“Kaya kung kayo po ay essential worker, ang suggestion po namin, dahil nagbibigay naman tayo ng abiso bago mag lockdown ay maghanap na po kayo ng pansamantalang tutuluyan sa dalawang linggong nakalockdown ang inyong tirahan,” she added.—with Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News