MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno will place the entire district of Tondo under a 48-hour “hard” lockdown in a bid to bring down the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the area and to stop residents from violating home quarantine protocols set by the government to curb the spread of the virus.
Moreno said the regulation will “likely” be this weekend. “Most likely it is going to be May 2, 3 and 4,” he said, adding that Tondo District 1 will be the first to be under hard lockdown, to be followed by District 2. Tondo District 1 covers 135 barangays with more than half a million population.
The Divisoria night market will be excluded from the hard lockdown to allow the continued free flow of goods and products.
In making his decision, Moreno cited the high number of COVID-19 infections in the district — 81 confirmed cases, 222 suspected cases and 12 deaths in District 1; while District 2 has 51 confirmed cases, 129 suspected cases and five deaths.
Data from the Manila City Health Department showed that as of April 28, Manila City has a total 659 confirmed cases, 995 suspected cases and 11 probable cases. Ninety residents have recovered from the virus while 60 have died.
Moreno said his decision was likewise based on the high number of quarantine violations reported in Tondo. No figures, however, were provided.
“Yes, dahil mataas ang presensya ng COVID-19 carriers at PUIs at sa quarantine violations (Yes, (my decision is) based on the high presence of COVID-19 carriers and persons under investigations, as well as quarantine violators),” Moreno told ANC’s Headstart.
Moreno said he will make an announcement today (Thursday) even as coordination with the Manila police remains ongoing for the guidelines to be used during the hard lockdown.
“The executive order for the lockdown is being finalized today and will be release to the public tomorrow. Kailangang masusi ang pag-aaral dito because as you all know, source ng komersiyo d’yan nanggagaling sa Tondo at isa sa mga pinag-iingatan nating desisyon sa pagpa-plano ng hard lockdown sa Tondo ay ‘yung Divisoria vegetable, meat and fish night market (It needs careful study because as you all know, Tondo is a source of commerce and one of the reasons why we are very careful with our decision is the Divisoria vegetable, meat and fish market),” he said.
The city executive said he is likewise consulting with local and community leaders, residents and business and establishment owners in the western part of the city where the ports are located.
“May study na ibinigay sa amin ang port operators (International Container Port). Ang sabi nila ang pinakamahina nilang labas at dating ng bagahe or containers for that matter is on a Sunday and Monday (The port operators have given us a study showing that fewer containers arrive during Sundays and Mondays),” Moreno said.
Moreno said the city government will provide food packs and other necessities to affected residents during the lockdown.
Tondo is the second area in Manila City to be placed under hard lockdown. Last week, Moreno placed the Sampaloc area under a 48-hour hard lockdown also due to its high number of COVID-positive patients and ECQ violators.
During the Sampaloc lockdown, health authorities conducted disease surveillance, testing and rapid risk assessment of residents in the area. All residents were barred from going out of their homes and all quarantine passes were suspended temporarily.
Moreno said that aside from Tondo, he is eyeing a similar measure in the San Andres and Sta. Cruz areas. Data showed that San Andres has 34 confirmed COVID cases and 57 suspected ones, with four deaths. Sta. Cruz, on the other hand, has 50 confirmed cases, 50 suspected cases and five deaths.
GAT ANDRES BONIFACIO CENTER
Moreno also announced the temporary closure of the emergency room of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center after eight of its staff members — four physicians, a radiology technologist, a medical technologist and two nurses — tested positive for COVID-19.
The closure took effect on April 28 and will last until May 5. The hospital’s outpatient services and dialysis center will remain open.
“This will pave for the general cleaning and disinfection operations of the hospital, “Moreno said.Moreno said patients seeking consultation with the obstetrics-gynecology and pediatrics departments will be referred to the Ospital ng Sampaloc, the Ospital ng Tondo, or the Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital.
Ospital ng Sampaloc Director Ailee Lacsamana said all hospital personnel are negative for COVID-19.
The Ospital ng Sampaloc was closed for two weeks, or until April 20, after five of its staff tested positive for the virus.
