Health workers, APOR in granular lockdown areas won't be allowed out —DILG exec

Authorized personnel outside of residences (APOR), including health workers, will not be allowed outside their homes if they are affected by the granular lockdown, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday.

DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño said granular lockdowns means only one street or area that recorded COVID-19 cases will be under strict quarantine.

"Kapag naka lockdown kayo, wala ng APOR. Yan ang pagkakaiba natin. (If they are under lockdown, there will be no APOR. That is the difference.)," he said on dzBB when asked about the difference between granular lockdowns and surgical lockdowns which was enforced since the pandemic started.

Asked if health workers will also be affected, Diño said medical workers will also be under lockdown if their house or street has COVID-19 cases.

"Doon na sila... kasi kapag pumasok ka nandoon ka na at umiikot na ang pandemya sa lugar na iyon," he said.

On entry of delivery services, Diño said they will not be allowed to move past the checkpoints. Instead, the barangay personnel will deliver the goods to the recipient.

"Hindi na. Wala na papasok na delivery. Kaya lang ito, ang magpapasok niyan barangay na. 'Yung checkpoint sa lockdown area, 'di na pwede yung delivery. Hanggang dun lang kayo sa barikada," said Diño.

(Deliveries will not be allowed inside the granular lockdown area. The barangay personnel will be the ones who will transport the goods. Deliveries will be barred at the checkpoint.)

Further, Diño assured residents that the assistance will be given only to those who are affected in the granular lockdown.

"At this time, 'yung ayuda mabubuhos lamang sa may tinamaan ng COVID. (Assistance will only be given to those who were hit by COVID)," Diño explained.

He said barricades will also be set up during granular lockdowns and will be manned by policemen and local officials.  He assured there will be enough manpower to enforce the granular lockdowns.

Malacañang on Thursday said Metro Manila is still under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until September 15, 2021 or until the general community quarantine with granular lockdown is implemented.—LDF, GMA News