The use of face shields in Bacolod City shall be voluntary effective immediately, Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced Tuesday, November 16.
Leonardia said this is in compliance with an Office of the President memorandum stating that the use of face shields in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3 will no longer be required.
“While we are already in Alert Level 2 and we have sustained the decrease in COVID-19 cases, it is best that we remain cautious as we relax restrictions,” Leonardia said.
He reminded the public to wear their masks, and avoid high risk situations like crowds and poorly ventilated areas.
“The virus is still lurking but it can be beaten if we adhere to health protocols and get vaccinated,” he said.
Under Alert Level 2, residents of all ages “are allowed outside but we advise against bringing kids to the malls since they are not yet vaccinated,” Em Ang, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) executive director said.
Children should not be exposed unnecessarily to a potential source of transmission, she said.
Meanwhile, contact sports that could be possible COVID-19 super spreaders are still not allowed in Bacolod City, Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC deputy, said.
Sorongon also called on Bacolod residents to continue to observe health protocols and get vaccinated to protect themselves against COVID-19.
There are 33 out of the 61 barangays in Bacolod City without any COVID-19 cases, Sorongon said.
During “National COVID-19 Vaccination Days” from November 29 to December 1 Bacolod City aims to vaccinate more than 60,000 residents.
The city government aims to hit its vaccination target for herd immunity by December, Sorongon said.*