• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Amid the rise in cases with flu-like symptoms in public schools, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has renewed his call for Negrenses to wear face masks.
“The wearing of face masks is something we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lacson said.
He pointed out that face masks “will not only protect us from COVID-19 but also from other viruses”.
The governor encouraged the public to wear face masks, especially in public transportation and in enclosed areas.
In Negros Occidental, the Department of Education (DepEd) has started requiring their students and staff to wear face masks again.
Ian Arnold Arnaiz, public information officer of DepEd Negros Occidental, confirmed that Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City has already implemented it after the school management noted an increase in flu- like symptoms in some students.
NOHS is considered the biggest public high school in Negros Occidental.
Arnaiz said the policy was recommended by its medical team to protect its students from any communicable diseases.
Private schools such as STI-West Negros University and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, both in Bacolod City, as well as the Efigenio Enrica Lizares Memorial School in Talisay City have also required their students to wear face masks, especially those who have cough.
Students who don’t feel well are immediately sent home so that they wouldn’t infect other students on campus.
Lacson said he supports the decision of some schools in Negros Occidental to require their students and staff to wear face masks, noting that it is within the discretion of the school management.
“It will be the problem of the school if it spreads among their students,” he added. | GB
