By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental urged residents to continue observing strict health protocols and if possible spend the holidays only with immediate family circle as mass gathering is still discouraged to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
“I am not saying that we will not celebrate Christmas, only that let us do it with the family for the meantime that we are still fighting COVID-19,” Escalante said.
The mayor said that the city of Cadiz cannot afford a second lockdown if the virus will again spread due to complacency.
He cited the case of European countries experiencing a “second wave” of infections because the people became complacent thinking that they have controlled the spread of the virus.
“Cadiz City cannot afford it, we have already used up our savings,” he added.
He urged residents to observe the basic health protocols such as wearing of face mask, face shield, frequent hand washing as well as social distancing.
Escalante said Cadiz City has slowed down the spread of the virus.
He further said that the city is now accepting Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) as well as tourists after the moratorium ended on Nov 30, 2020. But they still admitted some LSIs amid the moratorium for humanitarian reasons.
“There are those who already have purchased their tickets,” he said.
Escalante mayor said that last Tuesday, around 30 LSIs from Zamboanga arrived in the city and were subjected to swab test on Thursday.
“Hopefully the test result will come as soon as possible and those with negative results will be sent home,” Escalante said, adding that the city government has been spending much for the quarantine facility.
Escalante also said that while there are no more border controls or check-up points, everyone is strongly encouraged to strictly observe health protocols.
