Subic Bay Freeport—Curfew hours and other restrictions on entry and mobility were reimposed in this special economic zone by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Monday to help curb the resurgence of Covid-19 infections.
The curfew hours here will be from 12 midnight to 5:00 a.m. effective March 22 until April 4, said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.
She said the SBMA also determined that persons from the so-called “NCR Plus bubble” will be allowed into Subic only for business purposes, and should show email confirmation of appointment in the Freeport.
The NCR Plus bubble includes the National Capital Region and the 4 neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite.
“Those from NCR Plus who would stay in Subic for more than 24 hours will be required to show negative RT-PCR test results with a validity of 24 hours, while persons from MGCQ [modified general community quarantine] areas who would stay here for 4 days and 3 nights or beyond will also be required to undergo RT-PCR test,” Eisma said.
Under the curfew guidelines, meanwhile, personnel travelling to and from work in the Freeport would be required to show SBMA-issued gate passes and company ID cards to be allowed movement in the zone.
Cargo deliveries will be unimpeded at all times in Subic, although their crew would be required to strictly observe health safety protocols like wearing of face mask and face shield, Eisma said. She said SBMA would strictly enforce restrictions set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) under Resolution No. 96 that those below 15 years and over 65 years of age, as well as those pregnant or with comorbidities, will not be allowed outside of their residences except for food, work, or exercise.
The SBMA also barred children below 3 years old from Subic beaches, prohibited consumption of alcoholic drinks in public areas, and temporarily banned picnics at public spaces like the Waterfront, Boardwalk Park, Malawaan Park, and the San Bernardino Road.
Last Sunday, Eisma reminded Subic stakeholders to stay home and suspend non-essential travel in view of the “alarming resurgence of the Covid-19 virus and the growing number of new positive cases in the country.”
“While the Subic Bay Freeport Zones remains to be one of the urban communities in the country with the least number of cases, we have to take more pro-active measures to protect ourselves, our family, our livelihood, and the bigger community we live in. We cannot afford another lockdown, so we must do all we can to prevent it.”
Since the pandemic, the SBMA had recorded 50 confirmed Covid-19 cases among Freeport residents, 32 among guests and transient workers, and 30 among SBMA employees, with just six active cases in the three groups as the moment.
Neighboring Olongapo City, meanwhile, has recorded 1,094 confirmed cases, with 23 active cases as of Monday, while Zambales has posted 1,100 confirmed cases, with 21 new positive cases recorded on Monday.
To help minimize risks among SBMA employees while continuing to provide services to the public, the SBMA also reverted to alternating teams among its personnel who would man the offices during the 2-week period until April 4.
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