BY MARCHEL P. ESPINA
The ban on tourism-related and non-essential travel to Sipalay City in Negros Occidental has been extended until October 31 as a continuous measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Mayor Maria Gina Lizares, who signed an executive order yesterday, said the EO is in response to the City Tourism Council’s unanimous decision of not catering to tourists from outside Sipalay for the rest of October.
As of October 6, Sipalay City has two barangays affected by local virus transmission, and the inter-agency task force deemed that opening the city for tourists and non-essential travelers will contribute to Covid-19 positive cases, the order said.
Lizares said that only essential travel will be allowed in Sipalay. These are medical-related transactions, business transactions to open establishments, government-related transactions, delivery of goods and items, non-residents from non-high-risk areas who are employed in Sipalay, and non-residents who are property owners in the city.
Non-essential travel, meanwhile, is not allowed in Sipalay. These are visits to relatives and friends, church-related activities, school-related transactions, house-to-house retail selling, and ambulant vendors from outside Sipalay.
Moreover, the EO said that persons travelling outside the 6th District of Negros Occidental shall be required to undergo quarantine at the Sipalay quarantine facility or at home for 14 days and shall be subjected to swab test, drivers and personnel of delivery panels and trucks are also required to present their travel form, delivery order or receipt, and medical certificate, while intermediate family members returning to attend wake or funeral may be given special consideration, as long as they properly coordinate with IATF.
Violators of the order will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.*
