Negros mulls curfew removal

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — With COVID cases down to single digits, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is considering lifting the curfew hours that were imposed at the height of the pandemic.

Lacson yesterday said he would first consult the mayors on his plan.

“If the majority say yes, we can lift the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, unless others want to maintain it in their jurisdictions,” Lacson said.

Curfew in the province’s capital of Bacolod, a highly urbanized city, is from midnight to 4 a.m.

Lacson said some businessmen have proposed the lifting of the curfew as the number of COVID cases has steadily declined.

Negros Occidental remains under Alert Level 2, although seven of its local government units are under Alert Level 1.