Coronavirus situation in Bacolod City - UPDATE #3

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Hello there everyone! I am back again for another blog post. This time, I want to share my third update about the coronavirus situation here in Bacolod City. I would also share the situations that are happening in the Philippines right now.

Here's what is happening to Bacolod City's status during the worldwide pandemic:

* Recently, the national inter-agency task force has classified Bacolod City and the entire Western Visayas Region as low-risk areas. Therefore, our city is ordered to transition into modified general community quarantine or what we call the "new normal". It means that Bacolod City will no longer be under enhanced community quarantine or general community quarantine starting May 16.

* Bacolod City Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia initially wants the city to be downgraded from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine after May 15. However, with the recent announcement of the national inter-agency task force that they would no longer be under community quarantine, he held an emergency meeting with the local government officials. After the emergency meeting, they have decided via unanimous decision that they would no longer appeal to the national inter-agency task force to put them under general community quarantine. But on the following day, the national inter-agency task force has announced that all low-risk areas are now classifies into modified general community quarantine. As of now, we are still awaiting for the official guidelines and the executive order from the city mayor.

* Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose "Bong" Lacson is currently not complacent and was keen to extend the general community quarantine to the entire province until May 31. He has submitted his appeal to the national inter-agency task force and was awaiting approval from them. Bacolod City is a lone district and it's not under the jurisdiction of the province.

* As soon as possible, the city mayor would release an executive order for the city to return to new normal. It was proposed that in the executive order, they would still implement the minimum health standards such as mandatory wearing of face masks in the public, social distancing measures in establishments and transportation services, curfew from 10 PM to 4 AM, banning of mass gatherings of any kind, strict border control (land, air and sea travel), etc. Malls and other establishments are urged to close early.

* If the city is under enhanced or general community quarantine, a home quarantine pass under one authorized family or household member is required to go out in public. Now that the city is transitioning to modified general community quarantine, the home quarantine pass is no longer valid and anyone can go out freely.

* Under the modified general community quarantine rules, public utility vehicles are required to have an alcohol with them. Drivers are required to wear face mask and bring alcohol. They are requiring passengers to pay first before hopping in on the vehicle. As for the passengers, they are not allowed to be on board without a face mask. Only 25% of the jeepneys per day are allowed to operate. However, 100% of the taxis and vans are allowed to cater customers with stringent social distancing rules. I am not yet sure about the Grab car system regarding the limit of passengers.

* Last May 11, a 45-year old seafarer from Talisay City who was one of those arrived from Manila via 2Go Malasakit Voyage ship was tested positive for COVID-19. His travel history is that he arrived in Manila from Qatar. The patient is currently staying at one of the hotel rooms of Go Hotels Bacolod. The local government approved Go Hotels as one of the quarantine facilities for the seafarers until they completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Since he arrived, there were no local transmissions occurred.

* All ultra-risk areas in Bacolod City are declared "cleared" by the local government officials as of today.

How was the Philippines these days?

* The entire National Capital Region, Laguna and Cebu City are the only ones remained under strict enhanced community quarantine until May 31, 2020. Cebu City has surpassed Quezon City with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. They also have the highest number of cases in various city jails. However, the entire Cebu province was classified as a moderate risk area. Therefore, they are under general community quarantine. The city of Cebu is separate to the province in terms of jurisdiction.

* Here are the following classifications according to the national inter-agency task force for every region:

* Any city or province can file an appeal to the national inter-agency task force whether to upgrade to general or enhanced community quarantine (varies per area). Before the expiration of Bacolod City's enhanced community quarantine in the last week of April, the city mayor and officials have made a unanimous decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine until May 15 and passed their appeal to the national inter-agency task force. That time, Bacolod City was under moderate risk. However that time, there were still lots of pending tests and a local transmission in Barangay Banago. As of today, the patient and all of her family members and close contacts are tested negative in their repeat confirmatory test.

How am I these days?

If I am going to count the number of weeks staying at home until the end of the lockdown, that would be almost 8 weeks. As what I have shared in my previous post, it all started last May 15. After 14 days (May 29), I got out with my sister for just a few hours to claim the immune-boosting supplements from my friend and other important stuff. On the following day (May 30), that was the start of the lockdown and I'm stuck again for a long time.

It was suppose to end on April 13, but they've extended it to April 30. Before that day comes, the city mayor and local government officials held an early morning meeting to appeal to the national inter-agency task force to extend the enhanced community quarantine until May 15, and it was granted. Now that they don't have plans anymore to appeal, I can finally go out for the first time on May 16 with precaution.

Thanks to my full-time online home-based job and other internet gigs, I find myself productive at home. On top of that, I play video games, watch Youtube clips and listening to my favorite songs to keep myself entertained. Plus, I have enough supply of instant coffee!

Last month, we've celebrated the birthday of my dad, sister and cousin here at home. Last Sunday, we've celebrated Mother's Day in our home as well. For me, I think there's not much to celebrate when the lockdown is lifted after May 15. Lifting the lockdown as of this time doesn't mean that the virus is gone. It's still there, and we have to be careful on what we are doing outside these days. We all know that the second wave is much more deadlier like in China, Japan and Singapore lately. The battle is not yet over, and we can't claim yet that we've defeated COVID-19 completely here in Bacolod City.

At least I have shared to you my latest update about the coronavirus situation here in Bacolod City. Stay vigilant, boost your immune system, practice proper hygiene and social distancing. Keep safe everyone and God bless!

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