Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order Thursday, April 29, extending the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in Bacolod City to May 31, which includes curfew from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. and a partial liquor ban.
Leonardia, in Executive Order No. 21, Series of 2021, also strongly urges the public to limit mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences to 30 percent of the seating or venue capacity in view of the rising number COVID-19 cases in the city.
The mayor said while Bacolod City has maintained its MGCQ category, its constituents must not be complacent, especially with the spike of COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks.
The Department of Health in Western Visayas has classified Bacolod City as a high risk area for COVID-19.
Bacolod had 106 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 817 active cases on Thursday, the DOH reported.
Leonardia, in his executive order, said “more vigilance and caution must continue to be observed and exercised in matters of public safety and health protocols.”
For the period of this extended MGCQ, the sale of liquor, wine, beer or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage in public places will continue to be allowed only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., he said.
The sale, serving, and consumption of liquor and alcoholic beverages in hotels, restaurants, and other dine-in establishments will only be allowed from 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. in accordance with Executive Order No. 03, Series of 2021, he added.
The vulnerable sector will still be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices, he added.
Identified among the vulnerable sector are persons below 15 years old, those who are over 65 years, with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks regardless of age, pregnant women, and anyone who resides with such persons.
Bacolod City will also continue to implement Resolution No. 101, Series of 2021, issued by the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases providing for the uniform travel protocols, Leonardia said.
All passengers bound for Bacolod City must present negative RT-PCR test results which must have been obtained within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Bacolod City for its validity except for national government agency-Authorized Persons Outside Residence who will shall be exempted, he said.
They must also present an online BaCTrac registration, online health declaration, S-PaSS, travel coordination permit and a valid personal ID, he added.
Transportation from the Bacolod-Silay Airport to an unloading point in Bacolod City will be provided by the city government, he said.
For the period of this extended MGCQ, the proper wearing of face masks and face shields, hand sanitation practices, and social distancing in all public places and in public and private transport should continue to be strictly observed, Leonardia said.*