The Negros Occidental provincial government will not impose restrictions for travelers from this capital city, which will be placed under Alert Level 3 starting January 14.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Thursday said this way, the movement of people and vehicles within Negros Occidental will remain smooth.
“It would be impractical to have border controls. Even during the times when our quarantine classifications were changing, it was still okay,” he added.
Negros Occidental remains under Alert Level 2 until the end of January, based on the recommendation of the national Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
As of January 12, Negros Occidental has logged 546 active cases, but Diaz said the occupancy rate in isolation centers across the province remains low.
From the previous three, only one provincial government-run hospital is now designated as a healthcare facility dedicated to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, which is the Cadiz District Hospital in the northern city of Cadiz.
Meanwhile, Bacolod’s quarantine status will be elevated to Alert Level 3 on Friday two months after the IATF-EID placed the entire Western Visayas under Alert Level 2.
According to the IATF-EID, intrazonal and interzonal movement is allowed under Alert Level 3, but will be subjected to reasonable restrictions based on age and comorbidities as determined by the local government unit.
Individuals below 18 years old and those belonging to the vulnerable population are allowed access to obtain essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.
Activities such as face-to-face classes for basic education and contact sports are prohibited under Alert Level 3.
Fun fairs, venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers, and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theatres are not also allowed to operate.
Also prohibited are operations of casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.
Source: Philippines News Agency
