Leisure travel between Panay Island and Bacolod City will remain banned until August 15, and Authorized Persons Outside their Residences entering the city must present negative RT-PCR results to protect Bacolodnons from the deadly effect of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
This was stressed by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia in Executive Order No. 42 Series of 2021 extending the General Community Quarantine with Heightened Restrictions (GCQ-HR) in Bacolod City from August 1 to 15, in compliance with the decision of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
He pointed out that national health authorities have warned about the entry into the Philippines of the COVID-19 Delta variant, which is more contagious and more virulent than the original strain.
Region 6 health authorities have also issued public warnings that the Delta variant has already been found in certain localities in Panay Island, the mayor said.
Six Delta variant cases have been detected in Panay.
Leonardia, in EO No. 42, said while leisure travel between Panay Island and Bacolod City will not be allowed, movement of goods and cargoes will remain unhampered.
Authorized Persons Outside their Residences may be allowed to enter Bacolod City subject to presentation of the following documents:
*A negative RT-PCR test result which must have been obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Bacolod City;
*Online BaCTrac registration;
*Online Health Declaration;
*S-Pass Travel Coordination Permit; and
*Valid personal ID.
Travellers from Metro Manila are also required to present negative RT-PCR test results.
Executive orders 39, 39-A, and 41 will remain in effect during the duration of the extended GCQ-HR, the mayor said.
EO 39 states that Church and religious gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 percent of venue capacity.
Food take-out and delivery services will be allowed at 100 percent, dine-in services – 20 percent of venue capacity, al fresco/outdoor dine-in services – 30 percent of venue capacity and outdoor tourist attractions – 30 percent of venue capacity.
Personal care services like barber shops, salons, and other personal care service establishments that do not require removal of face masks will be allowed to operate at 30 percent of venue capacity.
Indoor tourist attractions and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) will not be allowed.
Businesses also not allowed to operate under GCQ-HR are entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, and cinemas; recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and similar venues;
Amusement parks or theme parks, fairs/peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides; casinos, horse racing, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments, except for those authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President for the purpose of raising revenue for the government;
Traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits; and outdoor/indoor sports courts or venues for contact sports, scrimmages, games, or activities.
Gatherings outside of residences will be prohibited except for those essential for the provision of health services, government services, or humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government agency or instrumentality.
Gathering at residences with any person outside of one’s immediate household will likewise be prohibited.
Necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 are allowed but now reduced to ten percent 10 percent of the venue capacity.
Visits to memorial parks, cemeteries, and columbaria are allowed but now reduced to not more than 10 persons per group and not exceeding 10 percent of the venue capacity.
EO 39 also stated that persons below 18 years old, over 65 years old, with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women will be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted by the national and local governments.
Daily curfew hours will continue to be observed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., and the sale of liquor will be allowed only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the ordinance said.
The sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in authorized public places will continue to be totally banned and prohibited.*