Bacolod City – The use of face shields in Bacolod City shall be voluntary effective immediately.
This was disclosed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who said the move is in compliance with the memorandum issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 15.
The President approved the guidelines on the use of face shields recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
For areas under Alert Level 5 and granular lockdowns, use of face shields in community settings shall be mandatory.
The local government unit and private establishments are given discretion to mandate face shield usevfor areas under Alert Level 4, while LGUs under Alert Levels 3, 2, and 1, the wearing of face shields shall be voluntary.
LGUs shall have the discretion to mandate the use of face shields in areas covered by the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, except in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine and those under granular lockdown where it shall remain mandatory, the memorandum added.
“While we are already in Alert Level 2 and we have sustained the decrease in COVID-19 cases, it is best that we remain cautious as we relax restrictions, Leonardia said.
He reminded residents to always wear their masks and to avoid large gatherings and poorly ventilated areas.
“The virus is still lurking but in can be beaten if we adhere to health protocols and get vaccinated. Protect yourselves at all times,” the mayor pointed out.
Leonardia also issued Executive Order No. 53 Monday to comply with the directive of the NIATF-MEID that downgraded Bacolod City from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 2 from Nov. 15 – 30.
The city’s COVID-19 cases have been on a steady decline since early November.
During the period covering Nov. 8-15, Bacolod tallied a total of 147 cases, with Nov. 12 having the highest number of positive patients at 25.
The numbers, however, went on a downward spiral for the following days with 23 cases on Nov. 13, 11 on Nov. 14 and only 8 on Monday, Nov.15.
The decrease in cases can be attributed mainly on the ongoing vaccination program of the city, as well as the strict implementation of minimum health protocols such as social distancing. (Chrysee Semillano via The Visayan Daily Star, photo courtesy of Bacolod City Public Information Office)
