THE Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) in Western Visayas has approved the request of four local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to suspend the arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

Based on RIATF's resolution dated December 1, 2020 and signed by RIATF Chairperson Juan Jovian Ingeniero, the acceptance of LSIs in the Cities of Himamaylan and Victorias will be suspended from December 21 to January 3, 2021.

Arrival of LSIs in the town of Calatrava is also suspended from December 21 to January 3, 2021, while the town of Cauayan from December 20 to January 3, 2021.

According to Ingeniero, Himamaylan City sent a letter to the RIATF on November 26, requesting for the moratorium for them to decongest their quarantine facilities and give time for their frontliners to rest.

Victorias City also made a similar request, pointing out it also wants to give their frontliners some reprieve.

The Municipality of Calatravas pointed the need to reorganize its quarantine facilities in preparation for the resumption of LSI arrivals on January 3, while the town of Cauayan said it needs time to conduct repairs and maintenance to its quarantine facilities.

Ingeniero said the Department of Health in Western Visayas also provided them with the necessary data and it is not objecting the requests of the four LGUs.

The RIATF earlier approved the request of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental for a moratorium on LSI arrivals on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, 2021.

During the same period, the Bacolod-Silay Airport will be closed for passenger traffic to allow health workers assigned to swab new arrivals the time to rest and celebrate the holidays.