BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Despite being classified as a high risk area by the Department of Health in Region 6 in terms of Covid-19 infection, Bacolod City will remain under the more relaxed modified general community quarantine status until June 30.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in Executive Order No. 30, series of 2021, he issued late Monday night, said Bacolod will remain under MGCQ from May 31 to June 30, unless revised, modified, or repealed by the National Inter-Agency Task Force and its related agencies.
Leonardia said those who are below 15 years old and more than 60 years old, pregnant women and those with co-morbidities are still advised to stay at home except when obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices.
He said that he may impose a higher age limit for age-based restrictions for minors, depending on the Covid-19 situation in Bacolod, pursuant to the authority granted to local government units by the National IATF.
CURFEW HOURS
Leonardia also said that the daily curfew hours shall continue to be observed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. with the exemption of workers on night shift duties, media practitioners, public emergencies like fire and ambulance services, other occasions caused by disaster/calamity, and those requiring medical assistance on board PUVs or private vehicles.
Under the EO, the curfew hours may be adjusted at any time within the duration of the MGCQ through the exercise by the city mayor of the emergency powers granted under pertinent city ordinances or any applicable laws, he added.
As for the partial liquor ban, the selling of liquor, wine, beer or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverages in public places shall continue to be allowed only from 12 noon to 6 p.m. However, the selling and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in authorized public places shall be in accordance with Executive Order No. 03, series of 2021.
UNIFORM TRAVEL PROTOCOLS
Upon arrival at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, travelers should show a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test result that must have been obtained within 72 hours before the trip.
Other requirements include the online BaCTrac registration, online health declaration, S-Pass, travel coordination permit, and valid personal ID, the EO said.
Only authorized persons outside residences, employed by the national government agencies, are exempted from presenting RT-PCR test results.
Transportation from the Bacolod-Silay Airport to an unloading point in Bacolod City shall be provided by the Bacolod LGU.
All travel protocols shall remain in full force and effect for the control and regulation of health standards and safety, unless revised/modified/repealed by the National IATF and its related agencies.
The existing travel ban/restrictions, except for the transport of essential goods, between Iloilo City and Bacolod City/Island of Negros as implemented by the City Government of Iloilo shall be accorded respect and enforcement, unless earlier lifted or further extended, for the common protection of the citizens of both LGUs, it added.
Leonardia advised the public that while the city is under MGCQ, the proper wearing of face masks and face shields, hand sanitation practices, and social distancing in all public places and in public and private transport should continue to be strictly observed. He added that mass gatherings, such as, but not limited, to movie screenings, concerts, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences shall continue to be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity.*
