By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government is finalizing details for an executive order that will place the entire province in a “virtual standstill” due to ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19. Provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, yesterday said a draft of the order is already on Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s desk.

“We are working on the details so it can be finalized,” the provincial official explained. “We are also accepting suggestions from the private sector.”

He added, “Essential businesses will remain open,” adding, they will be operating with a skeleton crew.

Additionally, Diaz said they will also stop public transportation in order to “prevent the movement of people.”

“We will send rolling stores to far-flung barangays so that they will not have to travel,” he added.

Diaz said, under the province’s enhanced community quarantine, “Those with private vehicles will be allowed to travel to buy their essential needs provided they have quarantine passes from the barangay.”

The provincial official said the quarantine will be lifted when the numbers flatten and after receiving assurance from the national government.

According to data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office, as of 3:00 p.m. last Monday, there are a total 92 patients under investigation.

Bacolod City also has one confirmed coronavirus case, a 56-year-old man who arrived in the city on February 29./DGB, WDJ