AN official from the Davao City Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) said the city will be suspending the issuance of citation tickets for not wearing a face mask.
This after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. issued Presidential Executive Order No. 7 (EO 7), which allows the voluntary wearing of face masks indoors.
“Very clear ang guidance during our Covid-19 Task Force meeting nga wala'y issuance of citation tickets ang atoang mga deputize enforcers aning mandatory wearing of face mask (From our recent meeting with the Covid-19 Task Force meeting, the instructions were very clear that there will be no issuance of citation tickets by our deputize enforces with regards to the mandatory wearing of face mask),” PSSO Head Angel Sumagaysay said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on November 2, 2022.
On October 28, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued the EO 7 “as a result of continued immunization, countries around the world have been instituting measures such as reopening or international borders, and relaxation of health and safety protocols and requirements, resulting in immediate positive impacts to their economies.”
The EO 7 only requires the wearing of face masks both indoors and outdoors in healthcare facilities, like clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics, medical transport vehicles like ambulance and paramedic rescue vehicles; as well as public transportation either by land, air, or sea.
Also, the EO 7 urged the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and persons manifesting symptoms of Covid-19 to continue wearing face masks once they are in public areas.
Recently, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has adopted Executive Order No. 3 to be aligned with its provision which allows the optional wearing of face masks in outdoor settings. Sumagaysay said in the coming days the SP will most likely propose another ordinance to adopt the EO 7.
Mandated in some areas
Meanwhile, the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force has underscored that face masks are still mandatory in public transportation and medical health facilities as it also encourages those in the vulnerable sector to protect themselves.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte has approved the adoption of the provisions and guidelines of EO 7 in the city.
"We do encourage gihapon sense of responsibility and accountability sa atong kaugalingon, sa atong isig katao, ug sa atong community as one. Naa na gyud na sa decision-making, kung kabalo mo nga high-risk sya sa imoha, naay activities o events nga you think nga high-risk sya for infection o transmission for yourself and others, wear your face mask. Be accountable for your health and of others (We do encourage a sense of responsibility and accountability to yourself, to others, and the community. It boils down to your decision-making. If you know that activities or events will be high-risk for you, or you think it's high risk for Covid-19 infection or transmission for yourself and others, wear your face mask. Be accountable for your health and others)," she said during the Covid-19 Alert program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on Wednesday, November 2.
Schlosser said that with the more relaxed minimum public health standards (MPHS), "dako ang tsansa o risk nga makuha ang Covid-19 infection labi na sa sa senior citizens, imminent sa atong datos ang deaths among them (there's a great chance or risk of contracting the Covid-19 infection particularly the senior citizens, our data on death among them is imminent)" that's why she encouraged them to get their anti-Covid-19 primary two-dose series and booster shots.
The city health official said that although the vaccine does not promise immunity from Covid-19, it reduces the risk of contracting severe and critical symptoms that may lead to death.
Schlosser added that with the lenient MPHS and full face-to-face classes, it is wise for Dabawenyos to get their anti-Covid-19 vaccines and boosters as an added layer of protection against the severity of the disease.
She also called on private establishments that Davao City EO 11, Series of 2022 is still in effect, which encourages them to implement their health protocols to best serve their employees and clients. KSD with CIO