Over the last 2 and a half weeks, the city of Bacolod has seen a significant decline in COVID-19 incidents, contrary to the health bureau’s forecast of a possible post-holiday surge. With this notable case management, will the city make it to the new normal list?
In a statement issued today, Malacañang through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved “in principle” to declare new normal in some areas around the country.
However, Roque clarified that it doesn’t mean that when a community is declared under a new normal that everyone is free to do everything. He said that guidelines will still be in place, but quarantine restrictions will be eased.
At present, Bacolod is under Modified General Community Quaratine, the most lenient quarantine classification. This after the city was able to control the spread of the virus late last year.
As of yesterday, Bacolod reported a total of 114 active cases, with only 15 fresh cases.
In his latest executive order, Mayor Evelio Leonardia has also strengthen the process in accepting returning Local Stranded Individuals by requiring returnees to have a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test issued 72 hours before their travel date.
With a negative result, LSIs won’t need to stay in a government quarantine facilities upon their arrival.
This development was put in place by Leonardia to ensure unhampered movement while also ensuring public safety and health standards against COVID-19.
