A DAVAO City Covid-19 Task Force official said on Friday, February 17, 2022, the public must continue to follow minimum public health standards (MPHS) despite low alert level classifications.
“It has been proven na usa sa mga pinakaepektibong pamamaraan (that one of the most effective ways) to avoid massive spread of the infection is to follow the minimum public health standards. Always gihapon ta mag wear og (we will still wear) face mask, practice social distancing and hand hygiene, and of course atong (our) bakuna,” Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said on Friday, February 18, 2022 in a radio interview.
Schlosser said in lower alert levels, restrictions on the movement and number of people are more lenient and social gatherings are allowed, but such protocols will still require the practice of the MPHS.
“One of the things I’ve read and heard is they wanted na mawala ang (to get rid of the) face mask, I don’t think that would be possible,” she said.
The spokesperson also mentioned that in order to properly observe the practice of the MPHS, more government personnel will be deputized to monitor the situation and issue citation tickets for violators.
Meanwhile, Schlosser also said the City Government of Davao has not yet considered the possibility of transitioning to a new normal, saying that a pilot testing will be implemented by the National Capital Region (NCR) first.
“We have to look into the NCR roll out first kasi that’s the reason why they have pilot testing and roll out on those plans because we want to make sure that once it's cascaded into other local government units like ours, dili na siya daghan og glitches (there would be less glitches),” she said.
Schlosser said in preparation for a possible new normal or lower restriction level, the City Government may release executive orders related to the Covid-19 pandemic as restrictions become more relaxed.
“Hindi pa po siya napagusapan sa (it is not yet discussed by the) Covid-19 Task Force, but you can see in our preparations, naga-hinay-hinay na ta (we are slowly starting),” Schlosser said, referring to the recent developments that took place such as the lifting of the modified liquor ban in bars and restaurants, allowing social event gatherings, and the number of people vaccinated so far.