Bacolod folk flock to malls, defy health protocols, to get vaccinated vs COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY—Huge crowds, many defying health protocols, trooped to malls in this city to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Monday, July 26. The majority did not observe physical distancing, and some were seen without face shields or with their face masks down. The build-up of crowds was noted last week following an announcement by the city government to allow walk-ins. City Administrator Em Ang, Emergency Operations Center executive director, announced Monday that the vaccination centers at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Robinsons Place, and SMX Convention Center had reached their maximum number of vaccinees for the day. “Beginning Tuesday, July 27, we regret that we will not be able to cater to walk-ins anymore,” she said. She urged the public to register online and wait for their schedule through a text message by the vaccination team. The public may also go to the barangay vaccination centers to avail themselves of free COVID-19 vaccines, she said. Ang said they tried to disperse the crowd waiting in line at the SMX Convention Center, but the people would not cooperate despite eight policemen and mall security. “It looked like a breeding ground for the virus,” she said. The huge crowd, Ang said, is a good indication that vaccine acceptance has tremendously improved in Bacolod City. Ang said COVID deaths this month in Bacolod have dropped by more than 50 percent. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said more than 100,000 Bacolodnons had been vaccinated, with about 30,000 fully vaccinated. “This is good news. These are impressive figures. We will continue this. We will hasten this so we can vaccinate more people,” he said. Leonardia appealed to Bacolodnons lining up at vaccination centers to observe social distancing and other health protocols at all times.

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