By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced Thursday the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on Negros Occidental starting Monday, March 30, 2020, as a stringent measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19).
The ECQ will be imposed via Executive Order No. 2020-20 which Lacson signed Thursday afternoon. It will last until 11:59 p.m. of April 14, 2020.
Lacson said the ECQ is not a lockdown saying that if certain local government units (LGUs) can afford to impose, that is their option.
“In a lockdown nobody can go out. We are not in the position to implement a total lockdown,” he pointed out.
Lacson said the ECQ is more applicable to the needs of the province and an option provided by the Inter- Agency Task Force against COVID-19.
He appealed to the Negrenses not to panic because grocery stores will still be open. Utilities and banks will still be open on limited time while one member of family will still be allowed to go out to buy necessities.
He also appealed to the public to avoid panic buying.
“No need for panic buying. We should retain our purchasing pattern, do not buy for 30 days if you usually buy for two days. It will not help, it will not really help. All we want really is to lessen the people moving around. So please stay at home,” Lacson said
He said LGUs will be in charge of distributing food assistance to the poor while ensuring that only one member of the household can go out.
