THE Provincial Government of Guimaras extended further the operating hours of businesses in the province.
Governor Samuel T. Gumarin issued Executive Order No. 44, further easing community containment measures implemented in the province.
Gumarin underscored the substantial decline in the number of new Covid-19 cases recorded daily that warrants an adjustment on the protocols being imposed.
"We are seeing a decline sa numero sang mga bag-o nga kaso sang Covid-19 diri sa probinsiya. This is a positive development. We are hoping nga magsige-sige na ini. Bangud sini maga-adjust man kita sang aton mga protocols. Amat-amaton naton ini para makabawi-bawi man ang aton ekonomiya," Gumarin said.
Effective November 1, 2021, all business establishments in the province are allowed to open from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. Pharmacies may open from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Hospitals and funeral parlors are exempted from the said business hour limitations.
However, entertainment and amusement venues, such as but not limited to recreation centers, karaoke bars, bars, clubs, billiard centers, internet cafes and computer shops shall remain closed.
Food establishments and resorts on the island are allowed to cater 50% of the venue's capacity for dine-in services.
Resorts and tourist destinations can accept visitors who are residents of Guimaras only.
Further, only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid accreditation from the Department of Tourism can operate at 50 percent of their capacity.
Cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops and other gambling establishments except those that are authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force or the Office of the President, are not allowed to operate.
Sea vessels may operate from 4 a.m. until 7 p.m. while public utility vehicles are allowed to operate from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Mass and social gatherings that will compromise the minimum health standard are prohibited while religious gatherings are allowed up to 50 percent of the venue's capacity.
Meanwhile, individuals with symptoms referable to Covid-19 and those that are considered suspect/probable/confirmed cases of Covid-19 are not allowed to enter or leave the province.
Leisure travels are still not allowed in the province of Guimaras.
Returning or visiting persons coming from outside Western Visayas who are not fully vaccinated shall present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before they can be allowed entry into the island. The test must be conducted three days before the travel date. Those who are completely vaccinated shall be allowed entry into the island upon presentation of their vaccination card.
The Provincial Government further reminded the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the provisions of Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-04 otherwise known as the "New Normal" ordinance which prescribed the observance of minimum public health standards.
As of October 28, 2021, the Province of Guimaras has 64 active cases of Covid-19 while 153 have already died from the disease. (PR)