Ilocos Norte town implements 'household hard lockdown' in villages

The municipal government of San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte has implemented a 'household hard lockdown' in high-risk villages due to rising COVID-19 cases.

As of April 7, 22 out of its 24 barangays were infected with 78 active cases, 45 recoveries and one death.

Residents under hard lockdown must stay quarantined for 14 days even if they tested negative, as close contacts of an infected person.

Village officials and police have set up checkpoints to enforce the guidelines.

The town also extended the lockdown of its public market until further notice due to a high number of vendors and utility personnel testing positive.