Negros Occidental will not follow Cebu, Negrenses are still required to wear face masks and practice physical distancing, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Sunday, June 12.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has issued a controversial executive order making the wearing of face masks optional in open-spaces and well-ventilated areas in Cebu.
“We are not saying do not use face masks. It’s your choice. Those that would wish to breathe in pure oxygen, the more beneficial sea air, then please, let’s not bring the wearing of face masks to ridiculous levels,” she said.
Lacson said Negros Occidental will continue to follow the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines on the need to wear face masks, pointing out that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet.
He also called on the youth to help convince senior citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
That is the contribution they can do to ensure the protection of the elderly, he said.
Negros Occidental had 26 active COVID-19 cases on Sunday.*