Bacolod has ‘flattened the curve’ as Negros Occ. extends MGCQ

BACOLOD City – National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) chief implementer Melquiades Feliciano said Bacolod “has flattened the curve” in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 after it de-escalated from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified GCQ.

“What a gratifying result with all your hard work, Bacolod Emergency Operations Center (EOC). You have flattened the curve. Bacolod is one of the safest places in the country now,” Feliciano said in a message after Bacolod was placed under MGCQ by the NIATF.

Feliciano was credited for the establishment of the EOC that spearheaded the city’s successful efforts in bringing down the number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia had issued Executive Order (EO) 73, placing the city under MGCQ from December 1 to 31, 2020.

The EO cited that after GCQ, there shall be a transition phase between GCQ to the new normal, “when the temporary measures undertaken during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and GCQ, including those covered under the MGCQ, are relaxed and become less necessary.”
Section 3 of the EO states that “without prejudice to the strict imposition of minimum health standards and protocols… and subject further to the limitations provided for hereunder, all other persons shall now be allowed to go outside their residences for the duration of the MGCQ.”

The EO stated that under MGCQ, the holding of traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits may now be allowed under the following rules mandated by IATF Res. 79 dated October 15, 2020:

-observance of health and safety protocols;

-observance of implementing DILG guidelines;

-observance of the following prohibitions:

-no in-person audience;

-no online or remote betting;

-no live broadcasting or telecasting of the cockfights; and

-approval of the LGU.

Another salient feature is that malls and commercial centers in Bacolod City shall now be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity including non-leisure establishments situated and operating therein.
‘The existing partial liquor ban shall be maintained wherein the sale and purchase thereof shall be limited only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and with consumption thereof only to be made within private premises,” the EO added.

Also, indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed.

Mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences are allowed; provided, participants thereto shall be limited to 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity.

Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson signed Tuesday, an executive order extending the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status of Negros Occidental until December 31, 2020.

He cited that the province has 5,541 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of November 23, 2020.