Bacolod downgraded to Alert Level 1; Negros Occidental stays under Alert Level 2

February 27, 2022 by No Comments

DUE to the continued decline in the number of additional positive cases, Bacolod City along with 38 other areas in the Philippines including the National Capital Region slid to Alert level 1 in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission.The National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) approved placing these areas under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, Acting Presidential Spokesperson and cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced Sunday, February 27.In Western Visayas, aside from Bacolod, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras were also placed under Alert Level 1.Meanwhile, Negros Occidental and Iloilo Province including its capital city and other areas in the country will remain under Alert Level 2.For Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the development is a validation that the city government is on the right track in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.“Being placed in the lowest alert category is a validation that, indeed, our policies and practices were hitting the targets,” he said.Leonardia added that they would like to credit the people for their support and cooperation in observing health protocols.For her part, Emergency Operations Center-Task Force Executive Director Em Ang, said that being under Alert Level 1 should not mean that “we are letting our guards down.”“Let’s continue observing minimum health protocols such as social distancing and wearing of masks,” Ang said.Asked if the curfew and the partial liquor ban will be lifted now that the city is under Alert Level 1, it is possible she said.But since the implementation of the curfew is based on an ordinance, it should be ratified or amended for it to be lifted, the official said.Currently, the curfew in Bacolod is from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. while the consumption and sale of liquors are from noon to 10 p.m. only.With the reclassification on Bacolod to Alert Level 1, Ang said the city may now be open for leisure travel while the requirements will be eased for travelers who wish to enter the city.Active cases in Bacolod City were at 238 as of Sunday, February 27, records from the Department of Health in Western Visayas showed.In a related development, the NIATF also approved the amendments to the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for Covid-19 Response.Under Alert Level 1, well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and practicing outdoor sports or exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained.All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at 100-percent capacity, consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work.However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson said.Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall likewise adhere to 100-percent on-site workforce.Off-site work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.On the other hand, public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 shall be at full seating capacity.For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination.For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100 percent.The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers in public transportation shall not be required.The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-Pass) travel management system shall likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1, it added.