Sulu eyes imposing lockdown to prevent entry of new coronavirus variant

CNN – Published Dec 29, 2020 2:52:24 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29) — Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan revealed on Tuesday the local government’s plan to impose an inter-island lockdown to prevent the entry of the new coronavirus variant from Sabah, Malaysia.

“Kino-consider namin na even inter-island ay baka i-lockdown natin. Kahit na among islands and municipalities dito sa Sulu ay baka i-lockdown muna natin hanggang ‘di natin nakikita kung ano ba talaga itong bagong sakit,” Tan said.

[Translation: We are considering an inter-island lockdown. Even among islands and municipalities here in Sulu, we are thinking of locking down as long as we’re unsure of this new variant.]

During the Laging Handa briefing, the governor said the decision on the possible lockdown will be announced within the day, adding that he is meeting with the security sector to tighten border control around the province.

However, Tan said goods and supplies from Zamboanga will be allowed entry to the province. Sulu residents can also go out of their homes provided they observe proper health protocols.

Tan is also appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte for the suspension of the return of undocumented Filipinos from Sabah.

“Baka pwedeng i-suspend muna ang pagpapa-uwi ng mga undocumented Filipinos from Sabah. ‘Yun po ang hinihingi natin dahil baka may dalang bagong strain, bagong sakit.”

[Translation: We are asking if it is possible to suspend the return of undocumented Filipinos from Sabah. We are asking this because they might be carriers of the new strain, the new sickness.]

Tan raised the concern of the province’s lack of health facilities to handle the possible rise in COVID-19 cases because of the new variant.

“Kailangan mag-ingat tayo dahil dito po sa Sulu ay wala po kaming mga facilities na gaya ng mga facilities sa Zamboanga. Ang amin dito ay level one hospital lamang…kailangan talaga prevention,” Tan said.

[Translation: We need to be careful because here in Sulu, we do not have facilities like those in Zamboanga. We only have a level one hospital…that is why we really need prevention.]

He said they still send their specimens to Zamboanga for testing. The province’s active cases are now down to two, while the total number of infections are at 243, including 12 deaths, according to Tan.

Meanwhile, Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Sulu would be closely monitored, in coordination with health experts.

“We will be monitoring for genomic sequence so we can ensure and avoid the entry of these variants in our country,” Vergeire said.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/12/29/Sulu-eyes-lockdown-prevent-entry-of-new-coronavirus-variant.html?%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F&fbclid=IwAR3CtOjmC0ES3EUig3snhlQx_rEnMZHrbki08w6q1OuBnT_2lEuOJy_sPRU