Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is urging Negrenses joining festivals in various parts of Negros Occidental to continue to wear masks and to remain vigilant against COVID-19.
Lacson joined the Bailes de Luces Festival in La Castellana town on Thursday night, January 5.
While he is happy that fiesta celebrations have resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lacson said the public should not forget that its threat still remains and they should protect themselves, especially in crowded areas.
The Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City kicked off Friday and Cadiz City is set to celebrate its Dinagsa Festival from January 14 to 29.
Even if the COVID-19 protocols have eased, the provincial government remains vigilant, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz also said on Friday.
The Negros Occidental provincial government vaccination drive against COVID-19 is still ongoing, Diaz said.
The provincial government’s molecular laboratory at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City that has the capacity to conduct 1,000 COVID-19 tests a day also continues to operate, he also said.
The monitoring of incoming passengers at the Bacolod Silay Airport and at seaports in the province for COVID-19 has been lifted to be in sync with the national policy, he said.
Incoming passengers are also no longer required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards.*