STRATEGIC RESPONSE
Defensor reiterates stricter reverse isolation rule
ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wants residents of this province who are visiting or are working in Iloilo City to strictly practice reverse isolation upon returning home.
According to the governor, 65 percent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases recorded in various towns could be traced to those who came back from the city. He cited the latest data from the Provincial Health Office. Defensor also expressed alarm over the 13 infections in Guimbal town which originated from a fiesta visit of an infected woman from Iloilo City. “Buhinan naton ang risgo dira,” said Defensor. I mposing i nter- zonal restrictions, according to Defensor, is not viable because “the economies of the city and province of Iloilo are dependent on each other.” Defensor also said “60 percent of the human resource sa city comes from the province.” For now, the best strategy
to battle COVID- 19 local transmission is a stricter reverse isolation policy, the governor pointed out.
“We have to balance. Ang strategy naton sa province is not restrictions sa border but rather didto sa barangay level,” Defensor said.
For stricter reverse isolation, Defensor issued Executive Order (EO) 183-C amending his previous orders for such.
He encouraged individuals from areas in Iloilo City considered as high-risk to COVID-19 exposure to practice the “3M strategy” (Mag Maskara, Mag Distancia kag Manghinaw) once they are home in any of the 42 towns or the component city of Passi.
Reverse isolation, he said, should be observed by those who have had prolonged stay in hospitals, health facilities or work places in Iloilo City since COVID-19 transmission a ppeared to be more pronounced these areas.
Also, reverse isolation encourages the use of separate utensils and other personal belongings to reduce risk of transmission.
Other reverse isolation measures under Defensor’s latest EO were the following:
* Those who travel to the city on a regular or daily basis for work or business or allowed activities and those who travel to the city for intermittent visit to hospitals or health care facilities/clinics for outpatient treatment or medical checkup, whether as patients or companion, shall practice and be placed under reverse isolation in their household, respectively.
* Iloilo residents who stay for a period exceeding 24 hours in hospitals or healthcare facilities/ clinics in Iloilo City whether as patients or companion shall be placed under 14-day home quarantine and subject to reverse isolation upon their return home.
* The municipal mayor may place these returning residents under facility quarantine if conditions in the household are not ideal for a 14-day quarantine and reverse isolation and subject them to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test.
* A negative result may be a cause for discharge from 14day quarantine and reverse isolation.
Also in an earlier interview, the governor said this move aims to avert possible cases of local transmission in the barangay level especially within the household.
Under his amended EO, Defensor also enforced additional policies in public events and gatherings.
Birthday, anniversary, wedding and baptismal celebrations/receptions or any similar occasions held in residences shall now only be limited to members of the family and household.
“Ang una nga level nga mapunggan ang transmission ara sa household,” the governor stressed.
Family gatherings involving non-members of the household are allowed provided it is not held at the residence.
Funeral wakes are also allowed provided that gathering shall only be limited to members of the family, and that public viewing, gaming, gambling and walking funeral processions are not allowed.
Other public events and gatherings are allowed provided that crowds involving a large number of persons are prohibited include local government unit events such inaugurations, among others; conventions, seminars, workshops and general membership meetings; cultural/art/entertainment performances; trade expositions and product promotions; sports activities; and religious congregation.
“The number of attendees in public events and gatherings regardless of their nature, size, location and/or seating capacity of the venue, shall not exceed 75 persons,” the EO further read.
Also, participants shall at all times avoid close contact or face to face contact within a distance of one meter and avoid physical contact with other persons and unnecessary contact with objects and structures./