By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The provincial government of Negros Occidental has declared a moratorium for the travel of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to the province until September 7. 

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that the moratorium is only for the incoming LSIs, but those traveling outside of the province are allowed to leave.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Incident Management Team, said that although the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has not approved the moratorium requested by the province, but they had not sent LSIs to the province since August 28 until the entire duration of “timeout weekend” on August 30 to 31.

Caelian said the provincial government has earlier requested for an extension of the moratorium. “There are still too many LSIs waiting to return to the province,” he revealed.

Diaz also said that the quarantine facilities of the province are not yet available for additional LSIs.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said the quarantine facilities are prepared in case there will be individuals tested positive for Covid-19 in the mass testing./DGB, WDJ