Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara placed Legazpi City and the adjacent town of Daraga under general community quarantine (GCQ) from May 31 to June 15.

Bichara, chairperson of Albay’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, issued Executive Order No. 14 on Monday night, May 31, placing the two areas under GCQ following a recent surge in COVID-19 cases there.

The governor said the decision was based on a Department of Health (DOH) report that said Legazpi City and Daraga recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in Albay.

GCQ means there will be limited movement of persons except in accessing essential goods and services. Persons aged below 18 and over 65, pregnant women, and persons with comorbidities are required to stay at home except for buying essential goods and services.

Mass gatherings (religious gatherings, necrological services, visits to memorial parks) and operations of all tourist destinations are allowed up to 30% capacity in areas under GCQ.

Bichara said the rest of the 16 cities and towns in Albay will be under modified GCQ (MGCQ).

Tourist destinations in areas under MGCQ can operate up to 50% capacity, granted that minimum public health standards are strictly enforced.

“All establishments, businesses, and offices, public and private, shall be allowed to operate at 50% on-site capacity and 50% work-from-home,” the governor said.

Bichara said the local government units in the province may also impose a curfew.

According to DOH officials in Bicol, a DOH assessment study classified Albay as a moderate risk area for COVID-19.

Albay recorded 45 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the province’s total confirmed cases to 3,247. Of this, 466 are active cases. – Rappler.com