With Bacolod City now under Alert Level 2 in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission, minors may now be allowed in malls.
But Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who heads the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), clarified that they should be accompanied by adults or their guardians.
The National IATF placed Bacolod City and other areas in Western Visayas under Alert Level 2 until the end of the month citing decrease in Covid-19 cases.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia already issued Executive Order (EO) No. 53 yesterday, November 15.
Under which, intrazonal and interzonal travel into and out of Bacolod is allowed subject to the presentation of the vaccination card of the traveler duly issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of origin, Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), or any government agency, national or international, duly authorized to issue such vaccination credentials.
Travelers who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 shall be required to present a negative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Bacolod City.
The mayor also shortened the curfew hours in the city.
From the previous 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., it will now be from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Based on the guidelines of the DOH in areas under Alert Level 2, casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments shall not be allowed to operate, or be undertaken.
These establishments, or activities, shall be allowed to operate, or be undertaken at the following: a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated; and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity, provided, that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and minimum public health standards (MPHS) shall be strictly maintained.
These are venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice); Permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers.
Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like; Amusement parks or theme parks; Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues.
Cinemas and movie houses; Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education; In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, interment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 and for the remains of those who succumbed to the disease.
Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency; dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries.
Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures including home service options; fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports; contact sports.
Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides; venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household, the EO further stated.
The selling of liquor, wine, beer or any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage in public places and the selling and/or consumption of such alcoholic beverages in authorized public places shall be allowed only from 12 noon to 10 p.m.
While restrictions are now lax, Familiaran said Bacolodnons are still required to wear face shields.
This is because there is an existing ordinance regarding the matter unless there is an advisory from the IATF saying otherwise, he said.
Familiaran stressed that only another ordinance can repeal the current order on the use of face shields.
Even there is a decreasing trend of Covid-19 cases in Bacolod, the vice mayor reiterated that residents should not be complacent and must always follow the minimum health protocols.