Official: Davao City residents keep their face masks on

Davao City Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said the local government unit of Davao City is still abiding by Executive Order (EO) No. 11 Series of 2022 or “An order lifting all Covid-19 Restrictions in Davao City” implemented on March 7.

Schlosser emphasized that under the said EO, other restrictions have been lifted such as social distancing and lockdowns, but wearing face masks remains.

“Nagpabilin gihapon atong minimum public health standards (MPHS) which are wearing of face masks (The MPHS of wearing face masks will remain) whether it be in an enclosed space or open space,” she said during an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio.

The spokesperson added that the matter has not been discussed by the task force and was also not considered by outgoing Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“Unless otherwise baguhin siya ng incoming administration (the incoming administration will revise it),” Schlosser said, referring to the incoming admin of incumbent Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte as the next mayor of Davao City.

She added, “As of the moment, we do not see it necessary na i-lift na (to lift the) restriction. We do not see it necessary na walaon siya na protocol (to remove the protocol).”

The concern was raised after Cebu Province made the wearing of face masks in well-ventilated and open spaces in the province optional and no longer mandatory via Executive Order No. 16 issued by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on June 9.

Schlosser said it is not necessary to follow suit since local government units have their own discretion on whether or not to implement such protocols.

At the same time, Schlosser added that wearing of face mask is still strongly recommended by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization since it prevents individuals from transmitting respiratory droplets which cause Covid-19.

“The way to protect us from that is by wearing face masks, both infected og dili infected (both infected or not) because wala’y mahitabo na transmission (it will prevent the transmission),” she explained.

The spokesperson said since the coronavirus is not yet eradicated, the MPHS will remain the main protection from contracting the disease.