BY MARCHEL P. ESPINA
The city government of Talisay in Negros Occidental has imposed a curfew, effective immediately, as the coronavirus continues to rage in the locality.
Mayor Neil Lizares issued yesterday an Executive Order imposing a general curfew from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. to all non-workers and high risk groups vulnerable to Covid-19 in the city.
According to the EO, exempted from the curfew are those obtaining essential goods and services, those gainfully employed in permitted industries and offices, those providing care to persons with disabilities, persons in transit to the airport in Silay City or seaport in Bacolod City for travel on pre-booked trips;
Persons in transit to and from work, provided the person shall present an identification card, persons trading fish and similar products in all markets in the city and facilities where food and food products, in any form, are being traded, persons working in trading and/or delivery of raw materials, food products and other food supplies, persons officially transporting any time item in assistance of the fight against Covid-19, and authorized local government officials and personnel.
Lizares said, in a statement yesterday, that due to the alarming number of positive cases in their city, their local Inter-Agency Task Force team together with their barangay officials met and discussed the strategic plans that they have to undertake to put a stop to the rising cases of the virus.
The mayor is asking for the cooperation of his constituents, which he said is very important.
He said they also discussed the concerns of the community, adding that the entrance and exit of the public market shall be changed.
“The entrance shall now be at the back while the exit shall be the one facing Savemore. Tents will be set up outside the market for those who are waiting to be accommodated since only 200 persons will be allowed to enter at a time. There will be proper markers, as well. In addition to the wearing of face masks, vendors will be required to wear face shields which the city will provide,” he said.
To ensure the safety of everyone and the vendors, marketgoers are also required to wear face masks and shields upon entering the public market, he said.
The mayor also urged his constituents not to hesitate to report those who are not observing the health protocols to the authorities.
As of yesterday, Talisay has 326 Covid-19 cases, 134 recoveries, and 12 fatalities.
They are among the top localities in the province with the most number of cases.*
