San Juan declares state of calamity amid COVID-19 rise

San Juan City has been placed under a state of calamity due to the growing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The City Council unanimously passed Ordinance No. 16 to officially declare the state of calamity, allowing access to quick response funds for purchasing necessary materials to combat the spread of the disease.

Ordinance No. 18 was approved, imposing a curfew in San Juan from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Sunday night.

To prevent hoarding, Ordinance No. 17 was passed, setting limits on the number of basic necessities and prime commodities that can be purchased per person daily.

Mayor Francis Zamora coordinated with shopping malls in San Juan for their temporary closure, starting Sunday until further notice, as approved by Ordinance No. 19.

However, groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, drugstores, medical services, banks, and restaurants with home deliveries are allowed to remain open.

Zamora confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 in San Juan, bringing the total to 15, with most patients being residents of Barangay West Crame.

The mayor identified Greenhills Shopping Center and Barangay West Crame as hotspots for COVID-19, as many mall employees reside in West Crame.

Four employees of a salon in Greenhills Shopping Center tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the salon's closure and disinfection.

All confirmed COVID-19 patients in San Juan are reported to be in stable condition.