BACOLOD City – The use of facemasks will still be required in Negros Occidental’s provincial capitol.
The province remains under COVID-19 Alert Level 2, explained Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“In my executive order, I will specifically say that in all dealings inside the provincial government building, facemask is mandatory. Alert Level 2 will tell us to continue to be vigilant,” Lacson told reporters.
At this alert level, reasonable restrictions may be imposed by local government units (LGUs), which should not be stricter than those prescribed under higher alert levels.
The governor acknowledged that the national government is allowing the voluntary use of facemasks indoors, but with limitations, particularly for persons with comorbidities and senior citizens.
“(With) the local autonomy of the LGUs, we can do that (referring to the mandatory use of facemask in provincial government buildings),” he said.
Lacson said that in the past three days, there has been an increase in cases. At least 80 COVID-19 patients were admitted at the Cadiz District Hospital, higher than the previous month.
“The numbers are going up and down but right now there are more patients at the Cadiz District Hospital because of COVID-19,” he said.
“What’s the effect of Alert Level 2? It reminds us that COVID-19 is very much around,” he added.
As of Nov. 1, Negros Occidental had 140 active COVID-19 cases, Provincial Incident Management Team data showed. (PNA)/PN
