Minors and persons above 65 years old are now allowed out of their homes with the downgrading of Bacolod City’s COVID-19 status to Alert Level 2 from November 15 to 30, Vice Mayor Elcid Familiaran said on Monday, November 15.
The rules on curfew, public gatherings and drinking in public places have also been eased, and movie houses can now operate at 50 percent of venue capacity in Bacolod City.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Sunday issued Executive Order No. 53 Series of 2021 in compliance with the directive of the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases setting the guidelines for Alert Level 2.
Bacolod was previously under Alert Level 4.
EO 53 sets curfew hours in Bacolod City from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. previously, and now allows selling or consumption of alcohol in authorized public places from noon to 10 p.m., the mayor said.
Establishments can now operate and activities can be held at a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and those below 18 years old even if unvaccinated, and at 70 percent for outdoor venues.
All workers of these establishments must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and minimum public health standards strictly maintained.
Establishments and activities covered are:
*Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;
*Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debuts and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
*Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;
*Amusement parks or theme parks;
*Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;
*Cinemas and movie houses;
*Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President;
*Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training;
*In-person religious gatherings, including necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the remains of the COVID-19 deceased;
*Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by government agencies, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
*Dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sector-specific protocols;
*Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI; fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols.
Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted;
*Film, music, and television production subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health (DOH);
*Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides; and
*Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.
Venues for contact sports, live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters may be approved by the Bacolod City Emergency Operation Center Task Force subject to its regulatory guidelines.
NOT ALLOWED
Casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments will still not be allowed to operate, except as may be authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force or the Office of the President, the EO added.
TRAVEL RULES
Travelers going in and out of Bacolod are permitted provided that they present their duly-issued vaccination card, the EO said.
Non-vaccinated travelers must submit negative RT-PCR test results obtained within 72 hours prior to their arrival in the city.
The new mandate also setting daily curfew hours from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. exempts night shift workers, media practitioners, public emergency services and those requiring medical assistance onboard PUVs and private vehicles.
Offices of the Bacolod City government will remain fully operational and will adhere to, at least, 50 percent on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.
Any individual who presents a forged or a falsified vaccination card or any other public document will be dealt with in accordance with law, the EO said.
Familiaran said minors allowed out must be accompanied by their parents or guardians.
The DOH in Western Visayas also classified Bacolod City as a low risk area for COVID-19 under Alert Level 2 on Monday.*