Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on Negrenses today, December 29, not to let their guards down even if Negros Occidental remains under the more lenient Modified General Community Quarantine in January as the threat of a new COVID-19 strain looms.
President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday night that Negros Occidental and Oriental, and Bacolod City will remain under MGCQ in January.
The new COVID-19 strain is not deadlier but it is 70 percent more contagious, Lacson warned.
So he hopes Negrenses continue to practice minimum health standards, which include wearing face masks and shields, proper hygiene, and social distancing, Lacson said.
The provincial government in 2021 will continue to swab persons entering Negros Occidental for COVID-19 tests and quarantine them until their results are out, he said, but admitted that it has become strenuous on its finances.
However, in the new year there will be fresh funds so we will continue the testing, he said.
The provincial government is also considering buying COVID-19 vaccines, but he is hoping the national government will at least take care of the frontliners and indigents, Lacson said.*