No facemask, no entry in Negros Occidental provincial capitol

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Facemasks are still a must in the premises of the Negros Occidental provincial capitol.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday he would issue an executive order (EO) requiring provincial government employees and those transacting business at the capitol to continue wearing facemasks.

Last month, Negros Occidental logged 10 COVID-related deaths  while new cases rose to 180.

Lacson, who presided over a provincial health board meeting on Wednesday, noted that new COVID cases in the province have been on the downtrend in the past three days compared to previous weeks.

However, he said the occupancy rate at the Cadiz District Hospital, the designated COVID facility in Negros Occidental, is increasing.

The Department of Health (DOH) has been consistent in its stand on the continuous wearing of facemasks to protect the public not only from COVID but also from other diseases.

The DOH issued a warning on a possible surge in COVID cases with the lifting of the facemask mandate in indoor settings even as new Omicron subvariants spread in the country.

Last week, President Marcos issued an EO easing the indoor mask rule, except in public transportation and medical facilities.