THE 19th Davao City Council has approved on third and final reading the ordinance regulating gatherings in the city as part of the initiatives to mitigate the transmission of coronavirus in communities.
Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta said the ordinance will regulate specific gatherings particularly when the city’s quarantine status is under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified GCQ (MGCQ).
Essential work meetings and social events in celebration of personal milestones are allowed in accordance with the joint memorandum circular of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Tourism (DOT).
Essential meetings are allowed up to 50 percent of the venue's capacity with a maximum of eight hours, provided that disinfection protocols are implemented during break time.
While social events and celebration of personal milestones are allowed up to 30 percent of the venue's capacity, this will include the organizers, operators, and suppliers in the counting, up to a maximum of three hours.
Community-based gatherings and events shall be limited to 25 individuals, while events in private rooms and venues shall not be more than 25 individuals.
Activities for leisure and entertainment such as, but not limited to concerts, are prohibited.
Government-sanctioned events, such as distribution of goods and services, shall be limited to 50 individuals at any given time provided that minimum public health standards must be observed and the time of entry and exit of participants must be noted.
Online meetings will not need a permit, a guest limit, or a curfew, however, real time online production will be governed by the ordinance.
Places of worship are mandated to observe the maximum 50-percent venue capacity, and observe one-meter distancing. Community singing is prohibited, while the singer must be three meters away from the crowd. Unnecessary chatting is also not allowed.
Vulnerable sectors who are below 18 and above 60, those with comorbidities and other serious and health risks, and pregnant are advised to stay at home.
Other gatherings such as motorcades, parades, and rallies in public places are prohibited.
Rallies at Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue are allowed, provided that the event is limited to 25 individuals, and must be supervised by the Davao City Police Office and City Health Offices.
Meanwhile, both government and private sectors are encouraged to shift their meetings and gatherings online.
Acosta said she lobbied the ordinance to strictly implement the established guidelines for the regulation of mass gathering while the pandemic is still ongoing.
Her proposed ordinance was prompted right after a meeting with the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force after it received various violations on mass gathering, despite the existence of Executive Order (EO) 57.
Mass gathering, as defined by the EO, is a gathering of people for the same event or activity. To avoid mass gatherings, only 25 individuals will be allowed within the venue.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in the EO that there is a need to regulate mass gatherings in all public places to lower the risk of transmission, as "indoor, crowded, and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected person/s spend long periods with others, such as restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and or places of worship," can be vulnerable to the coronavirus transmission.
She said there are areas in the city where regulations against mass gatherings and established safety protocols are still not being followed.
During the meeting, Acosta revealed many beaches, resorts, and other leisure establishments allowed persons to enter even more than the number allowed by the DOT.
She said some establishments were also operating and offering their services to the public despite not having proper business permits or DOT certification.
Acosta also said there were many events celebrating "personal milestones" such as weddings and birthdays not complying with the city's established regulations.
"Due to this, some events become hotbeds for the spread of the infection," she said.
Some barangays in the city were still conducting Zumba dances and other sports activities beyond the capacity allowed, defying the mandate for proper safety protocols.
The Covid-19 task force recommended the EO be passed as an ordinance to provide stricter guidelines and provide penalties against violators.
Meanwhile, during the committee hearing, invited stakeholders expressed concern on the 25-guest maximum allowable, particularly on the tourism sector.
“The tourism industry sought for a reconsideration that the maximum number of 25 be increased depending on the capacity of the venue to support the industry that are operative during the pandemic,” she said.
Health officials had constantly warned the public against mass gatherings, as these are highly vulnerable to Covid-19 transmission.