BACOLOD CITY - The Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental here has reopened with Governor Eugene Jose Lacson saying Sunday night that it was safe for provincial government employees to return to work.
Lacson gave this assurance even as he also confirmed that seven workers have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Lacson ordered the resumption of work for provincial government employees on Monday, August 17, following a five-day lockdown of the Provincial Capitol last week due to a surge in COVID -19 cases among its workers.
Lacson said it was now safe for employees to return to work after they were also able to identify seven workers who were COVID-19 positive, bringing to 22 the total of inflicted provincial government employees.
But he noted that they have succeeded in isolating the infected employees by giving them proper care and treatment in the health facilities.
In fact, of the total number of cases, eight have fully recovered and returned home after complying with the 14-day quarantine. They also tested negative in their repeated swab tests, the governor said.
Lacson also said the initial close contacts of about 142 employees have tested negative for the virus, and were also feeling well.
He said that offices that were compromised by visits of confirmed cases have been decontaminated while employees adhered to a strict home quarantine and monitored their own and their co-employees’ health condition.
He also said they were able to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace during the lock down.
“Let us then resume full operations by observing the health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and face shields,” he said.