BACOLOD City – The city government here is suspending curfew hours on the eve of both Christmas and New Year. This will give residents more time to celebrate the two occasions amid the city’s “improving” coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, according to Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
He issued Executive Order (EO) 82 for the lifting of curfew on Sunday afternoon.
“This is in observance of Filipino customs and traditions of celebrating Christmas and to welcome the New Year,” the mayor said.
Curfew hours here are from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. until the end of the year.
Since Dec. 1, the curfew was imposed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. as the city reverted to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status. However, it was shortened to 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., starting Dec. 15 to accommodate those attending the nine-day dawn masses from Dec. 16- 24.
Before suspending the curfew during the two holidays, Leonardia held a series of consultations with city officials and members of the Emergency Operations Center to determine the feasibility, practicality and safety of such policy.
Citing the EOC data, Leonardia said a significant drop and improvement was seen in COVID-19 cases in the past several weeks, particularly in the reported daily positive cases, recovery rates, hospital capacity utilization rate, and active cases.
“The data convinced us that suspending the curfew hours on Dec. 24 and 31 is now an option we can afford to take provided all other existing health protocols shall remain in full force and effect,” Leonardia said.
As of Sunday night, Bacolod has 5,558 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 5,262 recoveries, 123 active cases, and 173 deaths.
Meanwhile, EO 81 has banned face-to-face caroling as part of the guidelines in the conduct of Christmas and New Year gatherings and other merry-making activities in the city.
“Traditional caroling or the act of going house to house to sing Christmas carols is prohibited,” the directive said. (With PNA/PN)
