Bacolod City enforces shorter curfew hours under MGCQ

THE CITY has shortened the daily curfew hours from only 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting Tuesday as it reverts to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status until yearend.  

Previously, the curfew was set at 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. when the city was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in September and under general community quarantine (GCQ) from October to November.

The revised curfew hours is part of the new quarantine guidelines provided in Executive Order (EO) 73, Series of 2020 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia before midnight on Monday.

“Bacolod’s de-escalation to MGCQ is good news, but we have to warn people that if we are not careful, our problems might come back. We have to be responsible during the holidays because the virus does not recognize Christmas and New Year,” the mayor said in a statement on Tuesday.

As of Nov. 30, Bacolod has 5,396 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 4,950 recoveries, 284 active cases, and 162 deaths.

EO 73’s Section 4 provided that the new curfew hours will be observed by the general public, but there would be exemptions for workers on night shifts, public emergencies like fire/ambulance services/other occasions caused by disaster or calamity, and those requiring medical assistance onboard public or private vehicles.

It added that the curfew hours may be adjusted at any time within the duration of the MGCQ through the exercise by the mayor of the emergency powers granted by pertinent city ordinance or any applicable law.

Section 15, meanwhile, stated that malls and commercial centers are now allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity, including non-leisure establishments except for those allowed to operate at less than 100 percent of operating capacities, and those not allowed to operate at all.

Section 17 provided that the existing partial liquor ban should be maintained, wherein the sale and purchase is limited only from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and with consumption allowed only within private premises.

Section 20 also allowed mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences, but limited to only 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity. (By Nanette Guadalquiver)