BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order 51, an advisory that adopts the Alert Level Status from 1 November to 12 November 2021, over the previously adopted quarantine level status.
The National Inter-Agency Task Force last 13 October 2021 has released new quarantine classifications for dealing with the virus, replacing quarantine status to alert levels, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest.
This came complete with their respective health protocols and guidelines.
Bacolod City has recently been placed under COVID-19 Alert Level 4, but the mayor has appealed to have this downgraded to Alert Level 3.
Alert Level 4, Bacolod’s alert level, refers to areas wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at high utilization.
This is the second highest level of alert status.
The following are guidelines to areas under Alert Level 4 according to the NIATF.
TRAVEL
Intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed subject to the reasonable regulations of the LGU of destination, except for those below 18, year and belonging to the vulnerable population, namely, those who are over 65, those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women.
The only times the vulnerable sectors are allowed to go out is when they are trying to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws, rules, and regulations.
Fully vaccinated individuals belonging to the vulnerable population and those below 18 shall be allowed to participate in the following activities: Specialized markets of the Department of Tourism such as Point-to-Point Travel subject to the reasonable regulations of the LGU of destination, and Staycations; and individual outdoor exercises even beyond the general area of their respective residences.
Minimum public health standards and precautions should be observed however such as the wearing of face masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols are observed.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The following establishments and/or activities characterized as high-risk for
transmission shall not be allowed to operate, or be undertaken in areas
classified under Alert Level 4:
Face to face or in-person classes for basic education, except those approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President with Amendments as of October 13, 2021;
face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education or for technical, vocational education and training, except those approved by the IATF and/or the Office of the President;
All contact sports, whether indoor or outdoor; cinemas and movie houses; funfairs/peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President;
and gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same
household.
The following establishments, or activities, shall be allowed to operate, or be
undertaken at a maximum of 10% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated
individuals only and 30% outdoor venue capacity provided that they have
been issued a Safety Seal Certification.
Provided further, that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and minimum public health standards shall be strictly maintained.
Provided further still, that there is no objection from the LGU where these activities may take place: venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE);
permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers;
visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;
amusement parks and theme parks; and recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues.
The following establishments, or activities, shall be allowed to operate, or be
undertaken at a maximum of 10% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated
individuals only and 30% outdoor venue capacity.
This is provided that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and minimum public health standards shall be strictly maintained.
In-person religious gatherings, provided that gatherings shall be limited to
the conduct of religious worship and/or service, and processions and other
similar mobile religious gatherings shall not be allowed.
This is provided further, that pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, or other religious ministers and the assistants of these religious congregations have been fully vaccinated;
Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF;
Dine-in services in food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific
protocols;
Personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons,
and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures,
make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology, and other similar procedures
including home service options, subject to the sector-specific protocols of
the DTI;
Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for non-contact exercise and sports,
subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and
workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that no group
activities are conducted; and,
Film, music, and television production, subject to the joint guidelines as
may be issued by the DTI, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
and the DOH.
GATHERINGS
Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, funerals for those who
died of causes other than COVID-19, and for the cremains of the COVID-19
deceased, shall be allowed, provided that the same shall be limited to immediate
family members, upon satisfactory proof of their relationship with the deceased
and with full compliance with the prescribed minimum public health standards.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully
operational and shall adhere to at least 20% on-site capacity while applying
work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.