AMID the "easier movement" in Bacolod City, residents are urged to diligently practice minimum health protocols in light of the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) threat.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said the city's Emergency Operation Center headed by retired general Mel Feliciano has developed and implemented a Covid containment and business continuity plan, and so far, it is working.
Carbon, whose group has been suggesting for a granular or localized lockdown only, said a city-wide lockdown is no longer an option in the plan.
"The community, city health and barangay officials have to diligently play its role in the implementation of the plan if we want to contain the spread of the virus and business to continue operating," he stressed.
From September 8 to 30, a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status was implemented in Bacolod City mainly due to the rising Covid-19 cases.
On October 1, the city was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) as per the recomendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The recent development has further eased restrictions and other quarantine measures in the city.
The business leader said there's a need to encourage family members to practice minimum health protocols both inside and outside their homes.
He said barangay and health officials have to monitor crowded places like public markets, transportation terminals and government offices like that of the Land Transportation Office, City Health Office and Philippine Statistics Authority, among others.
Carbon said this is to ensure that the required health protocols are being practiced.
"If we could do this, God willing, we will be on a normal living environment come December and we will enjoy our holidays," he added.
As of October 3, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the city reached 4,190.
Of the figure, 1,205 are active cases, 2,896 have recovered and 89 died.