May 27, 2021 | Isabela City COVID-19 Local Task Force chair Mayor Sitti Djalia A Turabin-Hataman along with other members to include Vice Mayor Jhul Kifli L. Salliman convened anew the core group of local task force to discuss the guidelines for the imposition of GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE or GCQ throughout the entire city of Isabela for 14 days, from May 28, 2021 to June 10, 2021.

This is pursuant to Executive Order No. 15 issued by Mayor Turabin-Hataman on May 25, 2021, acting on the Joint RIATF-RTF IX Resolution No. 19, s. 2021, dated May 19, 2021, whereby the request of Isabela City declaring General Community Quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days was duly APPROVED.

During the meeting, City Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Officer Uso Dan I. Salasim discussed the current COVID-19 situationer citing that new COVID-19 Cases rose in the city over the past three months and has recorded significant increase in its recorded cases from February 2021 to March 2021 compared with the cases reported in the previous year covering the months of February to December 2020.

Now Isabela City has the 2nd highest rate of ACTIVE POSITIVE COVID-19 cases in Zamboanga Peninsula.

The core group also disclosed that Hospital beds are now in low capacity to accommodate incoming COVID-19 patients due to the overwhelming cases reported almost everyday.

The Department of Interior and Local Government meanwhile warned non compliant Barangays with the order on mandatory establishment of isolation units that they will issue a show cause order demanding the implementation of the same. To date, out of the 45 barangays, only 31 Barangays has established Barangay Isolation Units, which will serve as containment facilities to augment existing isolation and quarantine facilities in the City.

City Legal Officer Atty. Adzlan Imran on the otherhand laid the approved GCQ Guidelines for the period of 14 days effective 12:01 AM of May 28, 2021 until 12:00 MN of June 10, 2021.

Use of STAY SAFE Application (QR Code) was also reiterated to improve the city’s contact tracing and covid tracking capabilities with the use of the following apps: StaySafe.Ph and Isabela Safe Covid Tracker.