NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has agreed to retain the province's modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) following a meeting with officials from the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) in Western Visayas, although stricter restrictions will be imposed.

Even though the number of active Covid-19 cases are now declining in the province and the Department of Health (DOH) has tagged the province as "low risk," Lacson said to the RIATF that social gatherings will be allowed although it would only be a maximum of 30 percent of the venue's capacity in order to contain the Covid-19 cases to a minimum.

Lacson also admitted that despite the lowering numbers, there are still times that the cases suddenly spike just like the other local government units in the region.

The governor also reported that vaccine interest in the province is steadily growing, although there are still those who remain hesitant such as those belonging to the senior citizen group or the A2 category.

After learning that the National Capital Region plus bubble already started vaccinating other frontline economic workers or the A4 category, Lacson said he is currently seeking advice if Negros Occidental can also start rolling out vaccination for those under the A4 category.

He also said the quick distribution of vaccines would also depend on the supply given out by the national government.

Earlier on Monday, Negros Occidental received a shipment of 16,800 CoronaVac jabs manufactured by Sinovac, a Chinese biotech company.

As of June 9, Negros Occidental is currently still inoculating those under the A1 (frontline health workers), A2, and A3 (persons with comorbidities) category.