BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order (EO) 55 to conduct coronavirus disease (Covid-19) mass testing under the "O-Plan: One-Time-Big Time" joint program with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and other participating component cities and municipalities and the imposition of the citywide "four-day no movement" period from August 28 to 31, 2020 for realization of the program.
Leonardia, who signed the EO on August 26, said on August 6, City Health Officer Dr. Carmela Gensoli reported that Covid cases are on the rise, where, in a recent incident, positive cases increased by 100 percent in a matter of one week, with more subsequent data revealing increases of positive cases, a development that the city health authorities and the associations of medical practitioners considered alarming.
"Considering the deep concern expressed by medical doctors, various medical associations, group of business persons, religious associations and congregation, and by national and local public officials in the previously- held teleconference last August 21 about the rising cases of local transmissions in the city, the Bacolod City government agreed to join in the 'O-Plan: One-Time, Big-Time' mass testing program organized by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government to be held during a four-day 'Time-out No Movement' period from August 28 to 31, as pro-active measure to enhance detection transmission rates, contact rates, the duration of infectiousness of individuals in the population, and to provide effective control in the trend and characteristics of the pandemic," he said.
Section 3 of the EO states that for the duration of the "O-Plan: One-Time, Big-Time" program from August 28 to 31, people movement into the city, out of the city, and within the city shall be prohibited.
Provided following exemptions shall be allowed for unhampered movement of any type cargo in bulk, especially that of essential commodities and products; medical cases equipping treatment or therapy at health facilities in the city; Bacolod residents included in the testing population of aforesaid mass testing program; officials of national agencies and commissions, the judiciary, Bacolod City, and the Province of Negros Occidental including all local government units under the latter's jurisdiction; government employees of Bacolod City, the Province of Negros Occidental and those of other LGUs delivering essential services within Bacolod City; personnel of national government agencies delivering essential services; medical frontliners and health workers of any LGU of the province; drivers of public transportation units with franchises issued by the LTFRB; medics practitioners and printers of emir newspapers; private security guards who need to report to work; priest and religious ministers; personnel who need to report for work at funeral homes and crematoriums; personnel who need to report for work at dining/restaurant establishments whose services shall be limited to delivery and take-out; personnel of hotels, pension houses and other accommodation facilities that serve as quarantine facilities for returning residents of the city and of the other LGUs of Negros Occidental; and personnel who need to report for work at business/ industries classified under category 1-ECQ of DTI Memorandum Circular 20-44 dated July 31, 2020 at the prescribed operating capacity.
Business not included in the immediately preceding enumeration shall be closed from August 28-31, except for all public markets in the city which shall be closed only from August 28-30.
To enforce the restriction on people movement mandated in Section 3 hereof, PNP border check-up points shall be installed from August 28-31, which may, however, be shortened for seaports under the condition provided in Section 3 hereof, the EO further stated.