Travel ban to Negros Occidental pushed due to COVID-19 spike

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson during the weekend has requested the Inter -Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases for a temporary travel ban on air, sea and land travel to Negros Occidental effective immediately for a period of two weeks.

In his letter to Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Cabinet Secretary Karlo, Lacson said, “I believe that this is imperative in order to protect our constituents, our local economy and our future as a province. If I stand idly, I fear that our gains in the past year will be put to waste, to the detriment of our people.”

The formal request was accompanied by graphic illustrations and figures showing that the introduction of the uniform travel protocols (Resolution No. 101) has resulted in an increased number of COVID-19 cases in the province.

Data from the Provincial Incident Management Team showed that as of March 18, Negros Occidental had 232 Covid-19 active cases, from its lowest of more than 50 last month.

Before the adoption of IATF Resolution 101, Lacson said, “Our provincial health and travel protocols were able to manage the spread of the virus in the local communities, and component local government units were able to report 0 to 10 confirmed cases in their jurisdiction on Feb 23, with the exception of Silay City, with 13 cases.”

The governor said that the introduction of the uniform travel protocol has resulted in an increased number of Covid-19 confirmed cases in many LGUs particularly in Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, Calatrava, San Carlos and Sipalay.

“A week after the implementation of IATF resolution 101 that started March 15, the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City turned in results showing an alarming rise in positivity rates to an overall rate of 5.95 percent, with Locally Stranded Individuals 8.62 percent, and domestic cases now 4.91 percent,” Lacson said

He also reported a drastic increase in COVID-19 cases at the EB Magalona healing center as reported by its administrator, from 22 individuals on Feb. 23 to 111 on March 20.

Lacson also said that the increase of domestic cases is directly proportionate to the number of confirmed cases among LSIs.

“As of Feb, 23, we had 19 LSIs confirmed cases, with one domestic case, but as of March 20, domestic cases have reached 19, with 89 confirmed LSI cases,” the governor said.

Lacson also reported that the provincial quarantine facility for Covid-19 confirmed cases with mild symptoms is nearly reaching its maximum capacity.

Earlier, he issued an executive order requiring inbound travelers from Manila to Negros Occidental to present negative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results not earlier than 72 hours before their travel.

Travelers are also required to register with the S-PaSS and StaySafe.Ph system.