A TOTAL of 59 persons were issued citation tickets during the opening night of the Roxas Night Market on March 24, 2022 for violating the face mask ordinance, according to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
During a radio interview on March 29, DCPO spokesperson Police Major Teresita Gaspan said it is important to comply with the wearing of face masks, especially since it is one of the remaining Covid-19 safety protocols.
“Kailangan gyud nga mag-wear og face masks always kay permanente gihapon ta naga-issue og citation tickets. Daghan gihapon ta og nadakpan sa face mask lang, for that day lang, 59 kabuok nga wala nag wear og face mask (Please always wear your face mask because we continue to issue citation tickets to those who are not wearing face masks. On that day alone, we issued tickets to 59 persons),” Gaspan said.
She added that the security personnel are also actively enforcing social distancing at the night market for extra safety measures, even though the social distancing ordinance has already been lifted.
In an interview with the Davao City Information Office, Business Bureau head Maribel Pacguican said violators of the face mask ordinance may be charged with a fine ranging from P500 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 or one-month imprisonment for the third offense.
The Business Bureau head said establishments and their customers are still required to wear face masks except when eating and drinking to avoid violations.
But Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said she is worried over the high influx of people at Roxas Night Market, considering that such gatherings are vulnerable to transmission.
“As much as possible, dili ing-ato kadaghan ang gathering (let’s lessen the number of people). Sobra gyud, as in, puno siya (There was so many, it was full),” Schlosser said during an interview on March 25.
The Roxas Night Market has welcomed around 5,000 people, a mix of vendors and customers, during its opening night.
Many establishments, including bars, restaurants, and other similar venues, have already been operating at full-capacity since March 7, 2022 through Executive Order 11 Series of 2022 or “An order lifting all Covid-19 Restrictions in Davao City.”
Social distancing has also been lifted but the face mask ordinance remains, thus many health and security officials reiterate and remind Dabawenyos to keep wearing their face masks and practice proper hand hygiene.