BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
Curfew in Bacolod is now between 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. following the downgrading of the city’s status to Modified General Community Quarantine until New Year’s eve.
In Executive Order No. 73, however, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said those who are exempted from the curfew are working night shirts, attending to public emergencies, and those who require medical assistance.
He also stressed that the partial liquor ban shall continue and the serving of alcoholic beverages should be between 12 noon to 6 p.m. only.
Persons below 15 years old, senior citizens, with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, and other health risks, as well as pregnant women shall continue to stay at home, Leonardia said.
They will only be allowed to go out to obtain essential goods and services, for work in permitted industries and offices, or attend activities allowed under the MGCQ status, he said.
Leonardia said home quarantine is now allowed but without prejudice to the strict implementation of minimum health standards and further subject to limitations.
A “No-Go” policy will also be implemented on public transportation if face masks are not worn by the drivers and passengers, and social distancing is not followed, Leonardia added.
The mayor reiterated that social distancing must be observed at all times in jeepneys and buses, passengers must be seated 2-passengers apart with marks drawn on the seat specifying where the passengers are to sit.
For taxi cabs, only two passengers shall be allowed at the backseat and one on the front seat.
Maritime and air travel is allowed although subject to the guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation while private establishments are urged to provide their workers transportation convenient to their schedules and points of origin and destination.
If private companies wish to hire vehicles for their employees, they may do so, provided the operators can secure a permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Under the EO, all businesses except beer houses and kids amusement centers may now operate.
But these businesses are subject to restrictions and guidelines set by the Department of Trade and Industry and they should comply with health standards required by the Department of Health.
Malls and commercial centers in Bacolod are now allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity including non-leisure establishments.
Businesses in essential goods and services sectors, and those providing prime commodities like supermarkets and public markets, pharmacies and grocery stores, among others, are encouraged to operate for 12 hours.
Face-to-face classes are suspended for K-12 programs while limited in-person classes may be conducted in higher institutions provided they adhere to minimum health protocols. The City Health Office and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams shall continue their efforts in coordinating with the DOH and other allied government agencies in performing their tasks.*
