BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is anticipating an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases during the Yuletide celebration, with the influx of people returning to the province.
“I hope, if there is some spike, it will not be so big. We are just hoping for the best,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
He said they cannot refuse Negrenses returning to their homes, and spending the holiday season with their families.
Lacson earlier approved the request of airline companies to resume their Bacolod-Cebu-Bacolod and Manila-Bacolod-Manila flights this month, except on Dec. 24 and 25, and Dec. 31, as well as shipping companies, with limited passengers.
He advised returning Negrenses to arrive three days early, if they want to spend their Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with their families, because they will be swabbed, and the result will be out within a three-day period.
If they are negative, they will be allowed to go home immediately. If positive, they will go directly to quarantine healing centers, Lacson said.
He admitted that the number of Covid cases in Negros Occidental is going up and down. “I hope we can really keep it low,” Lacson said, adding that the province has been under the Modified General Community Quarantine status, since June.
As of Dec. 3, Negros Occidental had 1,019 Covid cases, out of 5,853 confirmed cases, with 4,703 recoveries and 131 deaths. Lacson also said he will let local government units concerned decide if children will be allowed in shopping malls. But he advised them to get the opinion of health experts.*
