AN OFFICIAL from the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force clarified on March 9, 2022 that the City Government of Davao is only suspending the Safe Davao QR (DQR) for expanded contact tracing, but individual establishments may still implement the protocol on their own discretion.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Covid-19 Task Force, clarified that Section 3 of Executive Order 11 Series of 2022, “An order lifting all Covid-19 restrictions in Davao City,” did not entirely eliminate the practice of contact tracing in the city.
Rather, it pertains to the suspension of the use of the Safe Davao QR in expanded contact tracing, which was used to heighten contact tracing during previous surges. The expanded contact tracing involved scanning of the DQR in establishments.
“The use of DQR for contact tracing is suspended. Wala man giingon diri na the traditional contact tracing is suspended. Kato lang expanded contact tracing using the DQR,” Schlosser said.
This means that the scanning of the DQR upon entering and exiting different establishments is no longer mandatory. However, as stated in Section 11 of the EO, private establishments may create and implement their own Covid-19 restrictions within their premises only.
“Kung gusto nila mag DQR scanning, pwede kaayo. Kung mag require sila og face shield sa ilang establishment, pwede kaayo because it is under their premise. Naa silay karapatan because they own and manage the place,” Schlosser said.
“It could be for their protection or the protection of their clientele, ilaha nang discretion,” she added.
Schlosser also emphasized that Davao City is still implementing contact tracers, and the Isolation and Quarantine protocol.
“The traditional contact tracing is still there,” she said, referring to the tracing of close contacts of coronavirus-positive patients.
The spokesperson added that the Safe Davao QR will still be used for other purposes, such as during vaccination.