By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Despite San Carlos City in Negros Occidental being placed under modified general community quarantine, the city government issued an executive order on Monday banning local gatherings due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Executive Order No. 269 signed by Mayor Renato Gustilo ordered a ban on parties, reunions, social gatherings, caroling, and sporting events in the city.

Gustilo said based on the findings made by the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a substantial number of local transmissions in the city were due to parties.

“There is a need to prevent mass gathering and other activities which will involve and/or invite large numbers of individuals, making them vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission,” Gustilo pointed out.

The mayor also said the ban was made upon the recommendation of the San Carlos City EOC, as well as an expression of sympathy to the city’s residents who were affected by the recent lockdowns and strict quarantine protocols.

Gustilo added Christmas parties are still allowed, although it will be limited only to members of the family living under the same roof.

Religious services in churches are also exempted, although attendees shall be limited to 50 percent of the venue’s seating capacity only with health protocols strictly imposed./DGB, WDJ