DABAWENYOS are reminded to keep wearing face masks indoors while the official order from the president has not yet been released, said Davao City Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser on Wednesday, October 26.
Schlosser said it would be best to wait since the executive order (EO) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will state the conditions regarding the optional wearing of face masks indoors.
The EO is needed in order for the Task Force to determine the appropriate steps regarding the implementation in Davao City.
The Task Force might make modifications if the clause of the EO is too risky or not doable for Davao City.
“Kung atong basehan ang kato lang voluntary wearing of face mask and then wala’y clause, dili ta ka-react ana (If we cannot act if we will only base on the announcement without the clause)... Mag depende sa written EO kung unsa ang nakabutang didto (It will depend on what is stated on the written EO), if it’s too risky, pagusapan pa rin (we would still have a discussion about it),” Schlosser said during a radio interview.
This is amid the announcement of Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on October 25 that Marcos Jr. will implement voluntary wearing of face masks indoors following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases.
However, Schlosser added it is not surprising that the face mask mandate is slowly relaxing since other Covid-19 restrictions are also easing in line with the goal of returning to the usual activities before the pandemic.
Thus, Schlosser said those who refuse to wear face masks indoors ahead of the official EO or announcement from the city government.
“Ang previous nato na gina-implement, mao lang gihapon to (Our previous implementations are still in effect). Therefor, kung mag una-una mo, madakpan gihapon mo . Kung unsa tong current rules and regulations karon, it will still be strictly implemented and you will be penalized if you will not follow it (You will be caught and penalized if you don’t follow our current rules and regulations),” Schlosser said.
The spokesperson said they are strengthening vaccination efforts and promoting the wearing of face mask since it will protect the public from the transmission and/or severity of the disease.
“Ang pinaka-the best na buhaton nato is to make sure all our katawhan diri sa Davao City is fully vaccinated and boosted so ang atong focus karon is to strengthen our vaccination activity (The best thing we can do right now is to make sure everyone is vaccinated and boosted),” she said.
City Health Office head Dr. Ashley Lopez told SunStar Davao on October 25 that the city is also prepared in case the face mask mandate will be completely lifted.
“We have been prepared all along. Confident rin tayo (We are confident) because of our high vaccination coverage in the city and we have not eased down,” Lopez said.
Although risks will remain since Covid-19 is still present, he said the public and the local government must remain vigilant and maintain health and safety practices. ICM