Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez are not lifting the rule on the mandatory use of face masks in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued an executive order lifting the mandatory use of face masks in his city from September 1 to December 31.
The EO will automatically be lifted should there be a surge in COVID-19 infections in Cebu City, Rama said.
Benitez said he does not believe it is time to lift the mandatory use of face masks in Bacolod City.
“As of today there are continuous fresh new COVID-19 cases,” he said.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 20 new COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City and 24 in Negros Occidental on Monday.
On Sunday Negros Occidental had 20 new COVID-19 cases and Bacolod City had 16, the DOH added.
Lacson, who maintained his position that people should continue to wear face masks against COVID-19, pointed out that even the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Health are not encouraging the lifting of the rule on wearing face masks.
Lacson said he is comfortable wearing a face mask and even if it were made optional he would still wear one.*