By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The request of the two groups of physicians here for this city to revert to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) amid the spike in COVID-19 cases was denied after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered that Negros Occidental and this city will remain under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until August 15.
Both Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued their respective Executive Orders for the extension of the MQCG for another 15 days.
Leonardia Friday night issued EO No. 50 Series of 2020 extending the MGCQ in Bacolod City with more stringent measures to contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19.
The mayor said the continuity of the MGCQ requires that Bacolodnons adopt some necessary lifestyle changes because the deadly disease is still a scourge to Bacolod City and the whole world.
“COVID-19 is still rampaging,” Leonardia said in a virtual press conference Sunday afternoon.
In his latest executive order, the mayor banned the selling or buying of liquor until further notice, and the drinking of such in public places and open private areas without fences and enclosures.
Any violation of the liquor ban will be subject to prosecution and penalty, he said.
Another feature of EO 50 is adjusting the existing curfew ordinance currently from 10 pm to 4 am to 8 pm to 4 am daily.
Leonardia said this is in answer to the continuing concern of limiting movement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, thus he is asking the Sangguniang Panlungsod to consider adjusting the curfew.
He added that exemptions will be made for public emergencies, fire and ambulance services, those working night shifts in private establishments, media practitioners, and city government and police officials and employees.
The three public markets in the city – Central Market, Burgos North Market and the Libertad South Market – will also be closed on Sundays from 12:01 am for cleaning and disinfection in observance of health protocols and public safety, the mayor said.
The first closure will be on August 9 and every Sunday thereafter until further advice, Leonardia said.
Localized lockdowns will be enforced when COVID-19 positive cases are detected to prevent the spread of the virus.
On the other hand, Lacson issued EO No. 20-35, series of 2020 extending the MGCQ over Negros Occidental until August 15.
It is the fourth extension of MGCQ in the province since June 15.
As of this writing the province of Negros Occidental has 417 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases.
Lacson said that “because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in our country, there is still a need to place Negros Occidental under MGCQ.”
Both EOs took effect August 1, 2020.
