NegOcc gears up for quarantine exit

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson Jr. said that the province is bracing for the “No Community Quarantine (CQ)” after May 2020.

“I foresee that they will declare our province as no CQ. Let us be ready,” Lacson told reporters here.

The province of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City were placed under General Community Quarantine after being categorized as low risk areas for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

But Lacson said he will also try to push for an extension on the postponement of the opening of the seaports.

When asked about extending the GCQ in the province, Lacson said he will monitor the sentiments of other governors.

“It will be hard if only one province will ask for an extension. I will see what their sentiments are because the more provinces who want to stay under GCQ, the more chances we can get that status,” he added.

If only one province wants to remain under GCQ while the rest of Region 6 are willing to open up, then it will become difficult for that province.

“Let us just be ready for the no CQ (scenario) and follow the minimum health standards,” Lacson said

He also said that people should stay home “if they are really not that confident that it is safe for them to go out.”

“Why risk your life if you yourself are not confident of going out.”

Lacson also said that four of the nine COVID-19 patients in the province have recovered with no fatality.