Bacolod City – There is no restriction for Bacoleños who may travel anywhere in Negros Occidental.
This was stressed recently by Provincial Inter Agency Task Force action officer Rayfrando Diaz after Bacolod City was included in 28 more areas in the country to be placed under Alert Level 3, starting January 14 until end of the month.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson requires inbound travelers from Alert Level 3 areas, to secure a negative RT-PCR test result prior to approval of their S-PaSS, upon entry to Negros Occidental.
Diaz said it is not necessary to further add burden to Bacoleños who want to travel within the province by requiring them to submit a negative RT-PCR test.
He also said that passenger bus trips between the two provinces of Negros Island remains normal.
The only requirements for travelers from Negros Oriental are a COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate, a valid ID, and an S-PaSS registration, Diaz added.
Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are still under Alert Level 2.
But travelers from Cebu, which is now under Alert Level 3, upon entering Negros Occidental will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test result, as well as those coming from Metro Manila.
“Our concept is a bubble, all our ports and airports should be closely monitored,” Diaz stressed.
He also noted a surge of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental component cities, including Bago, Cadiz and Kabankalan.
Diaz reported that Cadiz City recorded 21 new cases on January 12.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. confirmed yesterday that the Cadiz City quarantine facility is now occupied by 61 COVID-19 positive patients, from zero occupants early this month.
On the other hand, Diaz said the energization of Cadiz District Hospital 90-bed annex building is expected within a week.
The Cadiz District Hospital is serving as lone COVID-19 isolation center in Negros Occidental.
As of January 12, Negros Occidental has 546 active COVID-19 cases. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)