BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
President Rodrigo Duterte Monday night placed Bacolod City under General Community Quarantine, while Negros Occidental and Oriental will remain under Modified GCQ in October.
The president based his decision on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia in turn issued Executive Order No. 63, Series of 2020 yesterday placing Bacolod City under GCQ starting tomorrow until October 31.
The use of Home Quarantine Passes and the posting of check-up points are hereby suspended, while curfew hours will remain from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., he said in the EO.
Public transportation will be allowed on a limited capacity under the guidelines of the Department of Transportation, he added.
Public transportation by air and sea will be subject to existing guidelines issued by the DOT, he said.
Sunday closure of the three major public markers of the city will continue for cleaning and sanitation in observance of health protocols and public safety, Leonardia added.
Mass gatherings are prohibited under GCQ, he said.
LIMITED ACTIVITIES
The ban on the sale of liquor is partially lifted from noon to 6 p.m. but consumption should only be within private residences, he added.
Localized lockdowns will also be enforced in areas where residents test positive for COVID-19, he added.
There will also be limited permission for the conduct of business and the exercise of profession, and movement of people in and out of the city unless for essential purposes, he said.
The presence of uniformed personnel and force multipliers in strategic areas for safety and regulation will remain, while calculated measures will be imposed on citizens for public health safety and welfare like the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing, the mayor added.
RESTRICTIONS
There will also be restrictions on leisure and recreation outside the home, and the curtailment of activities that attract social and large gatherings, he said.
Not allowed to operate under GCQ are driving, dance, acting and voice schools; entertainment industries; libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; tourist destinations; full body massage; tattoo and body piercing; live events; cockfighting and operation of cockpits; beer houses and similar establishments whose primary business is serving of alcoholic drinks; and kid amusement industries, Leonardia said.
Dine-in in restaurants and fast food businesses are allowed during GCQ at 50 percent capacity, he added.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday he will issue an executive order extending MGCQ over Negros Occidental until October 31.*
