Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson welcomed on Monday the lifting of the state of public health emergency declared due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, saying it would boost economic growth and tourism development.

“There’s no need anymore to wear a face mask, there’s no need to show any vaccine card so this is good for the economy, especially for tourism,” he told reporters.

Lacson, however, said Covid-19 cases are still being reported and that the public should remain vigilant against the viral disease.

“Just a reminder, Covid-19 is still around. My last count was we have 45 active cases. Since it’s still around, let’s just take care of ourselves, especially in crowded areas. When you ride public transportation, I suggest that you still continue wearing a mask. Even when you go to mass, when the church is full, continue to wear a mask,” the governor said.

He also encouraged those who could avail of the bivalent Covid-19 vaccine to get the booster shot for better protection.

“Go for it, although we don’t have much of that. The frontliners are still the priority but if you can afford it and if you are a group of individuals who can pool in together, I would suggest a booster shot from bivalent vaccines,” he added.

Over the weekend, Malacañang announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has formally lifted the state of public health emergency through Proclamation 297 issued on July 21.

“All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect,” the proclamation said.

Under Proclamation 297, all government agencies are enjoined to ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations will take into consideration the lifting of the state of a public health emergency.

On March 8, 2020, former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 922, declaring a state of public health emergency after the first Covid-19 transmission reported by the Department of Health.

In May 2023, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) noted the decreasing trend in Covid-related deaths, the decline in hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the committee’s advice and determined that Covid-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. (PNA)