INSPECTION. Policemen manning a checkpoint in Zamboanga City check the passenger and driver of a tricycle in this undated photo. The city government has adopted the 'StaySafe' application as its official contact tracing system. (Photo courtesy of City Hall Public Information Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government has adopted the use of the StaySafe application as its official digital contact tracing system amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Friday the system is consistent with the national government's contact tracing platform "StaySafe.PH" being managed by the Department of Health (DOH), pursuant to Resolution 101 dated February 26, 2021 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Salazar issued Executive Order No. 657 that sets the guidelines for the mandatory use of the “StaySafe” in this city.
Under the EO, all city and national government offices, private establishments, and the general public must use the app and get a uniform quick response (QR) code.
The QR code will be placed in all entrances of establishments and offices.
Salazar said that the “StaySafe.PH’ app can be downloaded from the following: App Store for iPhone/iOS; Google Play for Android devices; and, App Gallery for Huawei.
Salazar’s EO mandates all offices, whether government or private, including business establishments to designate a help desk or customer assistance desk to facilitate registration with “StaySafe.PH” and for the generation and printing of “StaySafe.PH” QR code, especially for those not using smartphones.
The EO also requires all residents to register with the app as they enter, work and transact business in all indoor and enclosed public and private establishments in this city.
Failure to comply with EO 657 shall be penalized with fines of PHP2,000 for the first offense, PHP3,000 for the second, and PHP5,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of business permit or franchise.
Meanwhile, Salazar noted that the non-wearing of face shields and failure to present quarantine pass (QP) remain to be the top violations of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) guidelines and other health and safety protocols.
She said that per record from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) as of Thursday, a total of 286 violators were apprehended for violations of health protocols.
Out of this figure, 112 were apprehended for not wearing of face shield, 90 for failure to present QP or valid ID, 47 for curfew offenses, 21 for non-observance of physical distancing and 16 for non-wearing of face mask.
The city is under MECQ until June 15 to stem the continued rise in Covid-19 cases. (PNA)
