Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order Friday, November 12, extending the COVID-19 Alert Level 2 status of Negros Occidental until November 30.
Executive Order 21-51, Series of 2021 also grants an increase in air travel between the National Capital Region and Negros Occidental starting Monday, November 15, since both are classified under Alert Level 2 and the demand for flights are high.
The EO states that one flight per day per airline for the Manila-Bacolod-Manila route will be allowed.
All modes of transportation will also be allowed to bring passengers to and from the airport, but minimum public health standards prescribed by the Department of Health should be strictly enforced, the EO added.
Fully vaccinated individuals will be required to present an S-PaSS – an electronic or printed copy of the approved travel coordination permit issued by the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage travel management system that will be approved upon submission of a vaccination card or certificate, the governor said.
Unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated individuals should present an S-PaSS and negative RT-PCR test results prior to travel, which must be valid 72 hours from date of swab, he added.
Government officials and personnel on official business will be allowed unimpeded travel to their place of destination provided they present a valid ID and travel authority issued by their respective government agency, pass symptom screening at the port of arrival and comply with minimum health protocols, Lacson said.
Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits will be closed during the duration of Alert Level 2 unless authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force or the Office of the President.
Curfew set in Executive Order 21-50 Series of 2021 will remain. The EO sets curfew from midnight to 4 a.m. for persons 18 years old and above, and for persons below 18 years old from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
Establishments are allowed outdoor venue capacity of 70 percent to cater to individuals regardless of vaccination status, the EO said.
Indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and minors is 50 percent, it added.
Indoor venue capacity to cater to unvaccinated and partially unvaccinated individuals is set at 30 percent, the EO said.
Lacson, in an interview Friday, said there will be 21 flights per week and Cebu Pacific has promised to bring airfare down in time for the holidays.
The duration of the three flights a day will depend on the alert level status of the province, he added.
It has also been agreed that the provincial government will approve the S-PaSS of travelers to avoid delays, he added.
Bacolod City is still waiting for the National Inter-Agency Task Force announcement of its new COVID-19 alert level status, Dr. Chris Sorongon, Emergency Operations Center deputy, said.
Bacolod City has been placed under Alert Level 4 until Sunday, November 14.*