BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order (EO) 73, reverting the City of Bacolod to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) from December 1 to 31, 2020.
Leonardia, who signed the EO on November 30, said in a televised announcement that in the evening of November 30, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that Bacolod City will be among those local government units that will be under the category of MGCQ from December 1 to 31.
He said a condition under the Covid-19 public health emergency states that after the GCQ, there shall be a transition phase between GCQ to new normal, when the temporary measures undertaken during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and GCQ, including those covered under the MGCQ, are relaxed and become less necessary.
Section 3 of the EO states that without prejudice to the strict imposition of minimum health standards and protocols now subsisting in the various executive orders heretofore issued by the Bacolod City Government, and subject further to the limitations provided for hereunder, all other persons shall now be allowed to go outside their residences for the duration of the MGCQ.
"However, as mandated in the latest Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines with Amendments as of November 19, and for the personal health and safety of vulnerable members of the community and for the welfare of the community in general, persons below 15 years old, those who are over 65 years of age, with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, shall continue to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices, and for other activities permitted in aforesaid Omnibus Guidelines for these members of the vulnerable sectors," the EO stated.
A daily curfew shall be observed by the general public from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. in consonance with Section 3 of City Ordinance 934, Series of 2020, dated August 5, 2020.
Work in all departments of the City Government of Bacolod, including those of national agencies/instrumentalities, are allowed to resume physical reporting at full operating capacity, with alternative work arrangements for persons who are 60 years old and above, or those with ages between 18 and 21 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, subject further to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission.
Business sectors and industries classified as Category I, Category II, Category III and Category IV shall be allowed to operate in accordance with the strict directives and instructions of Section 5 (11) of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines (with amendments as of November 19, 2020), subject further to the strict observance of minimum public health protocols, e.g. wearing of face masks, face shields, and social distancing, the EO added.
Under MGCQ, the holding of traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits may now be allowed under the following rules mandated by IATF Res. 79 dated October 15, 2020; observance of health and safety protocols; observance of implementing DILG guidelines; observance of the following prohibitions: no in-person audience; no online or remote betting; no live broadcasting or telecasting of the cockfights; and approval of the LGU.
The following businesses also remain in the Negative List of those not allowed to operate in areas declared under any form of community quarantine: a beer houses and similar establishments whose primary business is serving of alcoholic drinks (e.g. nightclubs); and kid amusement industries (e.g. playrooms, rides).
Under MGCQ, malls and commercial centers in Bacolod City shall now be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity including non-leisure establishments situated and operating therein, except for those specified in Section 10 and Section 11 hereof to operate at less than 100 percent of operating capacities, and those specified in Section 13 hereof which are not allowed to operate at all.
The existing partial liquor ban shall be maintained wherein the sale and purchase thereof shall be limited only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and with consumption thereof only to be made within private premises.
Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed.
Mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences are allowed; provided, participants thereto shall be limited to 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity, the EO stated.