DAVAO CITY – A total of 2,168 individuals have been fined for not wearing their face masks in public last month, the Response Cluster of the Davao City Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Task Force said in a report Wednesday.
Response Cluster head Alfredo Baloran reminded anew the public to adhere to Davao City Ordinance No. 0307-20, which prescribes the mandatory wearing of face masks, as they continue to issue citation tickets to face mask violators since the ordinance was issued on July 7, 2020.
"The enforcement is continuous because of our city ordinance on the mandatory wearing of face masks. Some were caught in social gatherings while others were apprehended in public places,” Baloran said.
A number of violators were also apprehended by personnel of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) while inside public utility vehicles.
“We should not be complacent that the Alert Level 1 status has been extended. The minimum public health standards (MPHS) must still be strictly observed at all times,” Baloran said.
Based on the city ordinance, the mandatory wearing of face masks applies whether in public or private gatherings, with exemption only when eating or drinking.
“If you eat or drink, take off the mask but wear it back right after doing so. If you are not yet eating, wear a face mask. Just remove it once you start eating,” Baloran explained.
According to the ordinance, any person caught not wearing a face mask in public places shall be penalized with a fine of PHP500 for the first offense; PHP2,000 for a second offense; PHP5,000 or one-month imprisonment for the third offense.
“With or without the enforcers, Dabawenyos should comply with the face mask-wearing and frequent handwashing protocols to protect themselves from Covid-19,” Baloran said. (PNA)
