MANILA - The whole province of Laguna has been placed under "total lockdown," its governor Ramil Hernandez announced Saturday as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases has risen to more than 20 in the province.

"Ipinag-uutos sa lahat ng awtoridad sa lalawigan ng Laguna ang implementasyon ng total lockdown ng probinsiya at mahigpit na pagsunod sa lahat ng panuntunan sa pagpapatupad nito," he said on his Facebook page.

(Authorities in the province of Laguna shall implement the total lockdown and strict compliance with guidelines.)

Hernandez called on the public to cooperate as it implemented the lockdown, which took effect 1 p.m. Saturday.

Along with the announcement, the provincial government reiterated that only select authorized persons may head outdoors, including medical workers, those in the security sector such as police officers and soldiers, local and barangay officials, and private sector employees in businesses engaged in basic services such as supermarkets, drug stores, food establishments, banks, remittance centers, utilities, cargo and firms engaged in the manufacture of food, medicine and hygiene products.

Only one resident per household is allowed to go out to get supplies such as food and medicine, the announcement said.

As of 12 noon, the province south of Manila has recorded 23 cases of COVID-19, with 687 persons under investigation and 10,136 persons under monitoring.

Luzon is currently under enhanced community quarantine in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.