BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Negros Occidental and Oriental, and Bacolod City, have been classified as medium risk areas and will remain under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until the end of the month, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced last night.
Roque, who made the announcement during a live broadcast with President Rodrigo Duterte, said only Cebu City will remain under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, shortly after Roque’s announcement, issued Executive Order No. 48, Series of 2020, extending the MGCQ in Bacolod for the third time until the end of the month.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday afternoon extended the MGCQ over Negros Occidental until July 31, but has not ruled out the possibility of returning to GCQ should the spike in COVID-19 cases in the province continue.
Lacson, in EO No. 20-32, Series of 2020, extending the MGCQ said that, as of yesterday, Negros Occidental had 206 COVID-19 positive cases, and the entire country had more than 57,545.
The governor noted that there has been a spike in local transmissions, making the return of the province to GCQ, he said.
“I still have to figure out the number of positive cases on a daily basis,” he said.
He said although the province will remain under MGCQ, it is still best for the public to stay at home and go out only to buy essential needs.
“Be aware that we have local transmissions, protect yourself as that would also protect others. When you have been swabbed, wait for the results before you attempt to go out in public,” he said.
“Avoid celebrating, you can do that in better times,” Lacson also said.
All persons or establishments violating provisions of EO No. 20-32 and established health and safety protocols issued by the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will face appropriate charges, Lacson said.*
