The mountain town of Don Salvador Benedicto, the only remaining locality in Negros Occidental with no active case of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has extended its ban on mass gathering for seven days.

In Executive Order 2021-04-002, Mayor Laurence Marxlen de la Cruz stated that the suspension of such activities and other “superspreader” events will continue until April 25.

Initially, he said that activities like “seminars, training, rides, swimming, camping, hiking, excursions and other superspreader activities where there will be mixing of people from different places” have been suspended from April 10 to 18.

De la Cruz imposed stringent measures and extended the ban on these types of gatherings for another week starting April 19 as Covid-19 cases continue to surge in the province.

Don Salvador Benedicto, dubbed the summer capital of Negros Occidental, has not been logging a new case in the past months. As of Tuesday, it remains the only local government unit in the province that has zero active cases.

On the other hand, its neighboring locality to the north, San Carlos City, has the highest active Covid-19 cases in Negros Occidental, with 295 as of April 19.

Personnel of the municipal government have been conducting regular weekend information campaigns together with police officers to ensure that all operating establishments and tourism sites are fully complying with stringent measures against the spread of Covid-19.

Riders, excursionists, and other tourists from this city and other parts of Negros Occidental would usually visit the municipality on weekends and holidays.

Don Salvador Benedicto is just more than an hour away from here via the Negros Occidental Eco-Tourism Highway.

Photo Source: Facebook/Don Salvador Benedicto