Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged his constituents to remain cautious while the province is under a general community quarantine (GCQ) amid the continuing battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Lacson issued the reminder on Monday as the province, including this city, transitioned into GCQ, which saw the gradual opening of offices, business establishments, and transportation services all over the province.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) classified Negros Occidental as low-risk and recommended a GCQ. This does not mean the threat of Covid-19 is gone. The need to exercise utmost discretion and caution must remain. We are still fighting an invisible enemy,” he said.
On May 15, Lacson signed Executive Order (EO) 20-24 for the extension of the GCQ in the province until May 31.
In the directive, the governor gave the green light to the resumption of church masses and services but reiterated the closure of borders, ports, and airports in Negros Occidental until May 31 as stated in EO 20-15.
The Maritime Industry Authority has approved the request of Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to defer the resumption of sea travel in the province and the city from May 16 to June 1.
Moreover, Lacson underscored the safeguards against Covid-19 through the heightened patrol of seaports and borders and intra-border checkpoints as well as the minimum health standards of safe physical distancing and mandatory use of face mask, and the 14-day mandatory quarantine for all persons entering the province.
The governor said he deemed it best for Negros Occidental to keep its seaports and airports closed until such time that the provincial government can bring home all the stranded Negrenses, including overseas Filipino workers, to the province.
However, by June 1, all seaports and airports in the province are already scheduled to resume trips and flights.
As of Monday afternoon, Negros Occidental has nine confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as four recoveries. (Nanette Guadalquiver ndb via pna)