Negros Occ. guv still wants GCQ

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will request for the extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the province until May 31, 2020 despite being classified as a low risk area to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9)

The national Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases recommended the lifting of the community quarantine in Western Visayas because of low infection rates, among other factors, in the past weeks.

But Lacson said he does not want to risk the lives of residents as he believes that the COVID-19 crisis is still far from over.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the province cannot risk downgrading from the GCQ, which ends on May 15, as the province’s bio-laboratory for COVID-19 is not yet ready.

Lacson said he would like to extend the GCQ to another 15 days.

“I don’t think we are that ready to just open up to everybody and allow everybody to just go out. I think a GCQ is a perfect quarantine model for now,” Lacson said.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has called for an emergency meeting Tuesday afternoon with local officials to discuss whether or not the city will follow with the national task force’s recommendation or proceed to the GCQ status on Saturday.