BACOLOD CITY – The city government here has ordered the one-day closure of resorts and cafés in Barangays Alangilan, Granada, Punta Taytay, and Pahanocoy on Easter Sunday to prevent influx of people gathering in these venues amid the pandemic.
Owners of these businesses have agreed to temporarily suspend their operations on Easter Sunday after Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran appealed to them in view of the recent sudden spike of COVID-19 cases here.
An open forum was conducted in Barangay Alangilan on March 31, attended by business owners, barangay officials, City Hall officials, members of the City Legal Office-Enforcement Team, and the Bacolod City Police Office to discuss matters pertaining to the temporary closure.
“These are just preventive measures. We are not on lockdown,” reiterated Leonardia, who also conducted a similar dialogue with resort and business owners in Barangays Punta Taytay and Pahanocoy on March 30.
According to Leonardia, thousands of people may flock to Barangays Alangilan and Granada this Easter Sunday, especially biking enthusiasts, thus, increasing the threat of COVID-19 transmission from such an expected large group of people.
“Let's not wait for COVID-19 to hit us. To avoid its spread, always assume that everyone you encounter is a possible positive case,” Leonardia said.