Wearing of face masks optional during Negros festival

MANILA, Philippines — Residents and visitors attending the Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City from April 17 to 23 will not be required to wear face masks.

Provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz clarified that Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson did not issue any order for participants or visitors to wear face masks.

Diaz said the five COVID cases recorded at the Cadiz District Hospital is “not alarming.”

Negros Occidental police spokesman Capt. Judesses Catalogo confirmed that a gun ban would be imposed for the duration of the festival.

The Negros Occidental police will deploy 680 personnel to secure the Panaad sa Negros Festival, which is considered the mother of all festivals in the province.

The city government of Iloilo reimposed the no face mask, no entry policy at the city hall last week amid an increase in COVID cases.

”Face masks will ensure that infection will not increase in closed areas while continuing with the services of the city,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Iloilo City logged 34 cases in January, 23 in February and 44 last month.

Up to 26 cases were recorded from April 1 to 10. - Jennifer Rendon