Close, open
Baybay bars LSI; Bacolod public markets resume Sunday ops
For the past seven months since the start of the pandemic, we have maintained our policy of opening our borders, but having strict protocols such that there had been no local transmission of the virus in Baybay City
Baybay City in Leyte will temporarily stop accepting returning locally stranded individuals (LSI) for 15 days as part of more stringent measures to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Mayor Jose Carlos Cari, acting on the recommendation of the city Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), issued an executive order suspending the acceptance of LSI starting until 31 October.
The order also imposed a curfew on all residents, temporarily closed a number of business establishments and defined the allowable limit of public and family gatherings.
“For the past seven months since the start of the pandemic, we have maintained our policy of opening our borders, but having strict protocols such that there had been no local transmission of the virus in Baybay City,” he said.
“Now, I am asking you to be more vigilant, discerning and disciplined as we are now facing greater challenges as Baybayanons.”
The strict protocols were imposed after four healthcare workers of Western Leyte Provincial Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday.
On Friday evening, the Department of Health reported six new cases in Baybay City but did not indicate if these were from the hospital.
Cari said that while religious gatherings are discouraged, celebration of the Holy Mass or its equivalent will be allowed subject to strict implementation of the minimum health standards and only up to 25 percent of the venue capacity. Masses are allowed in main churches only.
Family gatherings such as birthdays or weddings will be limited to immediate family members only. No visitors or neighbors will be allowed.
“It was precisely the celebration of birthdays by a suspected COVID-19 person that has caused panic and became an added burden for our contact tracing teams,” Cari said.
In Bacolod City, major public markets will open again on Sunday after lockdowns were imposed in August.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s Executive Order 68 lifted lockdowns on Central Market, Burgos Market and Libertad Market.
“The overwhelming success of the surveillance testing is attributed to the cooperation and commitment of the market vendors to help in our fight against COVID-19. With their continued observance of the minimum health protocols in these markets, we will keep the numbers down for new COVID cases in these places,” Leonardia’s statement read.
Now, I am asking you to be more vigilant, discerning, and disciplined as we are now facing greater challenges as Baybayanons.
The IATF-Visayas recommended the surveillance testing of vendors on 10 October, with 25 out of 1,665 vendors swabbed testing positive for COVID-19. The results of the 13 October testing have yet to be released.
As of Friday, Bacolod City has 4,554 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of the total, 570 are active, 3,868 recovered and 116 died.
Last month, Bacolod City implemented the Home Quarantine Pass (HQP) system and border control to prevent local transmission.
HQP holders with odd numbers may leave their households on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, those with even numbers on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays.