- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod City is on Alert Level 2, starting today, Nov. 15, until the end of this month, from Alert Level 4, the National Inter-Agency Task Force announced Saturday.
Aside from Bacolod, Iloilo City and all provinces in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, and Guimaras, have also been placed under Alert Level 2 until Nov. 30.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the downgrade of Bacolod’s COVID restrictions was expected since the coronavirus cases continue to decline in the past four weeks.
Cases of new infections further dropped to only 12 on Saturday, as Emergency Operations Center-Task Force and COVID-19 Vaccination Council frontliners went full blast with the inoculation of minors, including those with comorbidities, students, their parents, school faculty and non-teaching personnel.
This is on top of the mall-based operations, barangay vaccination drive, and jab administration in remote puroks, EOC-TF executive director Em Legaspi-Ang said in a press release from the city yesterday.
Leonardia, however, said that despite the downgrade, residents and visitors should not be complacent.
He encouraged the unvaccinated to get their shots against COVID, so that Bacolod can attain herd immunity sooner.
The National Capital Region and most areas in the Philippines are also on AL2.
Catanduanes will be placed under Alert Level 4 effective Nov. 17 until Nov. 30, while Baguio City and Siquijor are on Alert Level 3 effective today until Nov. 30, and Batanes, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the City of Isabela, and Zamboanga City from Nov. 17 to 30.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said adherence to the minimum public health standards and prescribed protocols is a must, although those fully vaccinated can now enjoy indoor dine-in, go to gyms and other recreational facilities, go to movies or salons, and may enjoy social gatherings in events venues.
Interzonal and intrazonal movement are also allowed, subject to reasonable restrictions that may be imposed by local government units. Also allowed are limited face-to-face classes for basic and higher education, and technical-vocational education and training, dine-in services in food preparations establishments, such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries; barber shops, hair spas, hair salons and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic cosmetic services or procedures; and fitness studios, gyms and venues for individual non-contact exercises and sports.
Film, music and television productions, contact sports approved by LGUs, funfairs, peryas, and kid amusement industries such as playrooms, playgrounds and kiddie rides; and venues with live voice or wind instrument performers and audiences, like karaoke bars, concert halls, and theaters are also allowed.
These establishments and activities are allowed 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and for those below 18 years old, even if unvaccinated, while outdoor venue capacity for all, regardless of vaccination status, is at 70 percent. | NND
