BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has placed six of 31 towns and cities of Negros Occidental under Alert Level 1 classification status, effective April 16 to 30.
The 25 other areas of the province are under Alert Level 2, Lacson, in his executive order issued on April 15, said.
Alert Level 1 has been extended by Lacson in cities of Sagay and La Carlota, as well as municipalities of EB Magalona, Pulupandan and San Enrique, with Victorias City joining the list of de-escalated areas identified by the Inter Agency Task Force, also adopted by Lacson.
Highly-urbanized Bacolod City remains under Alert Level 1.
Under Alert Level 1, the IATF said there are no restrictions in terms of indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone can undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel without regard to age and even comorbidities.
All establishments, persons, or activities are likewise allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at total on-site or venue seating capacity, provided these are consistent with minimum public health standards.
As of April 16, Negros Occidental has 11 remaining COVID-19 active cases.
BACOLOD: ZERO CASES AGAIN
In Bacolod City, data from the Emergency Operations Center-Task Force indicated that it logged zero COVID-19 cases on Saturday.
The city logged zero cases on February 21, March 12 and 14, EOC-TF deputy director Dr. Chris Sorongon said.
Records show that the first time Bacolod registered zero COVID case was on March 10, 2021.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia credited Bacolodnons for continued compliance to minimum health protocols despite the city’s de-escalation to Alert Level 1 status.
“We are now under the new normal. But then again, we must remain vigilant because COVID is still here. We have to live with it and adjust to it accordingly and cautiously,” Leonardia said.
He also credited the continued vaccination efforts of the EOC-TF and COVac as more residents receive booster shots as added protection against the virus.
The mayor issued Executive Order No. 17 Thursday extending AL1 in Bacolod until April 30.*
