BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has signed Executive Order 35, effectively placing the city under a General Community Quarantine on 16 May, 2020.
Under the new scheme, Household Quarantine Passes and Sunday lockdowns are suspended until further notice.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Under the new scheme, a “no go” policy is adopted, which means that public transport operators are not allowed to conduct business unless drivers and passengers are wearing masks; buses and jeepneys can accommodate only up to 50 percent of the maximum capacity, with passengers seated a seat apart; no standing passengers are allowed; in jeepneys, only one passenger is allowed provided a non-permeable plastic barrier is placed between driver and passenger;
UV Express vehicles shall not exceed two passengers per row, and only one passenger is allowed beside the driver provided a non-permeable plastic barrier is placed between driver and passenger; other means of transport (taxis, TNVs, shuttle, etc.) may be allowed to operate in a case-by-case basis; in case of TNVs and taxis, strict physical distancing should be observed, with only a maximum of two passengers allowed at the back, one in front;
For tricycle PUVs, only one passenger shall be allowed at the sidecar, no back rides are allowed; an odd-even scheme shall be adopted for private vehicles; odd numbered-vehicles are allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. only; even-numbered vehicles are allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; riding in tandem for private motorcycles are not allowed, or permitted only on a case-by-case basis.
Businesses allowed to operate during the GCQ should provide transportation for their workforce; vehicles hired to transport these workers shall secure permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Inter-island travel is allowed within areas in Region 6 as long as these areas are on the same category (low-risk) as Bacolod, and the same status (GCQ).
Travel by air is still subject to guidelines by the Department of Transportation.
MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
Movement of people shall be limited to accessing goods, supplies, and medicines, or for work; people under 21, and senior citizens, those with comorbid conditions, and those who are immunosuppressed shall remain at home at all times, except when procuring essential goods and services for work; a curfew for the general public is in place, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
OTHER SALIENT POINTS
Non-essential businesses are not allowed to operate.
These include gyms and fitness studios; cinemas, theaters, and karaoke bars; kiddie amusement industries; libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers, travel and tour operators, personal care services (massage parlors, facial care, waxing, etc.).
Establishments selling food, supplies, and medicines are encouraged to operate on a 12-hour basis.
Public markets should have stricter regulatory measures for entrance and exits, with markers in bright colors indicating spaces between customers and sellers.
Social gatherings are allowed but up to 10 persons only.
Malls are allowed to operate with limited capacity (for essential businesses), provided that proper precautionary measures are observed (thermal scanning, etc.). For full details on guidelines, click on the link.
