Gov. MMM issues EO vs. Omicron

  • Stricter rules imposed at the control borders, commercial establishments

Written by Ma. Joreina Therese Blanco/PIA Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY (PIA), Jan. 6–The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has imposed stricter health protocols amid the nationwide threat of Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease-2019.

While Ilocos Norte is under Alert Level 2 classification, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc signed Executive Order No. 172-22 on January 5 providing heightened restrictions in the province’s control borders as well as in all social gatherings, and commercial establishments.

Manotoc said it deemed necessary to tighten preventive measures in Ilocos Norte to further protect the residents against the COVID-19 especially with the Omicron variant menace.

Provincial borders now imposed new protocols for those entering the province.

The order requires that residents of Ilocos Norte who have left the province for more than 72 hours must submit themselves to testing protocols unless they can present a negative RT-PCR test result (swab within the last 60 hours) or a negative antigen test result (swab within the last 24 hours) issued by a DOH-accredited testing facility.

To lessen travelers’ burden, the provincial government shoulders the testing expenses of all incoming residents and registered tourists who are staying in the province for at least two nights.

For the frequent border crossers and cargo crewmen, they also need to present a negative COVID-19 test result within the last seven days.
Under the EO, organizers of gatherings must obtain approval by the provincial governor or by the local chief executives.

Further, all indoor events are limited to 50 individuals, excluding staff, and observe a 30-percent maximum of venue capacity.

For outdoor gatherings, attendees are limited to 150 people, excluding staff, and observe a 50-percent maximum of venue capacity.

The EO further states that owners of all indoor establishments and buildings must check the vaccination status of people entering the premises. (Ma. Joreina Therese Blanco/PIA Ilocos Norte)