BACOLOD City – After an almost three-week suspension under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), public mass transportation resumes operation here with the city reverting to the more lenient general community quarantine.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced the lifting in his Executive Order (EO) No. 63 issued on Tuesday.
His latest directive also placed the metro under GCQ until the end of the month.
Public transportation was suspended here on Sept. 8.
With the resumption of public transport, Leonardia said passengers of public utility jeepneys are required to observe the one-meter distancing rule based on the guidelines of the Department of Transportation to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019.
Public transportation by air and sea will be subject to existing guidelines issued by the DOT, he said.
Sunday closure of the three major public markers of the city will continue for cleaning and sanitation in observance of health protocols and public safety.
Leonardia also suspended the use of home quarantine passes and posting of check-up points. Curfew hours, on the other hand, will remain from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Mass gatherings are prohibited under the city’s GCQ.
Localized lockdowns will also be enforced in areas where residents test positive for COVID-19.
There will also be limited permission for the conduct of business and the exercise of profession, and movement of people in and out of the city unless for essential purposes.
The presence of uniformed personnel and force multipliers in strategic areas for safety and regulation will remain, while calculated measures will be imposed on citizens for public health safety and welfare like the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing./PN
