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BACOLOD CITY — Unlike the city and province of Cebu, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of this city won’t lift the rule on the mandatory use of face masks.
Benitez said he does not believe it is time to lift the mandatory use of face masks in Bacolod City.
“As of today, there are continuous fresh new COVID-19 cases,” he said on Monday.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 20 new COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City and 24 in Negros Occidental on Monday.
Lacson maintained his position that people should continue to wear face masks against COVID-19 and pointed out that even the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Health are not encouraging the lifting of the rule on wearing face masks.
Lacson said he is comfortable wearing a face mask, and even if it were made optional, he would still wear one.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama recently issued an executive order lifting the mandatory use of face masks in the city from September 1 to December 31.
The order will automatically be lifted should there be a surge in COVID-19 infections in Cebu City.
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