THE Bacolod City Council approved a resolution enjoining all malls, restaurants, and other commercial establishments in the city to promote proper hygiene by providing access to hand sanitizers and hand soaps within their respective premises in light of the suspected presence of novel coronavirus in the country.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Cindy Rojas, was approved during
the regular session at the City Council Wednesday, February 5.
Rojas, chairperson of the City Council committee on health, said as of February 3, the Philippines has recorded two confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus, and 80 individuals from all over the country are suspected to be carrier of such and are under observation.
She said the Department of Health (DOH) referred to the case as non-specific pancoronavirus, which means it could be the 2019 novel coronavirus or any of the four existing coronavirus that can infect humans.
"It is very important for Bacolodnons to take an active role in combating the nCoV threat by staying vigilant through promoting proper hygiene and sanitation within our respective premises," she added.
Tan noted that Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier issued an executive order creating the Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force against the novel coronavirus for the purpose of taking necessary preparations to repel and prevent the spread of the nCoV in the city.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to more serious infections such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. Common signs of coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.