Davao City’s security cluster, through the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), has reminded Dabawenyos anew to abide by the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines after hundreds more were caught violating the COVID-19 protocols, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks as of December 20, 2021.
PSSCC head Retired Police Lt. Colonel Angel Sumagaysay, in a meeting, bared that 331 were caught violating the social distancing and mass gathering protocol from December 13 to 20. Thus, increasing the number of total violators to 43,302 from 42,972 as of December 12 since May 16, 2020.
Face mask violators also surged by 536, with a total of 62,076 as of December 20, 2021, from 61,540 on December 12, 2021.
While some of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions have eased, the PSSCC chief said the basic minimum public health standards (MPHS) that include the wearing of face masks and social distancing, have remained.
“Although loose na ang ubang restrictions, nagkaroon ng movement, daghang movement. Ang mga apprehensions ani due to the
strict implementation of enforcers. Ang restrictions natin permanente na ang wearing of face mask and social distancing (Although we have eased other restrictions, there have been movement of people, a lot of movement. The apprehensions are due to the strict implementation by enforcers. The restrictions are permanent on wearing of face mask and social distancing),” Sumagaysay said.
Those arrested, according to him, were caught violating the COVID-19 protocols.
“Dunay isa ka lugar nagtapok-tapok. Very clear ang violation. Dikit-dikit, wala nagahuna-huna nga naa pay virus (There’s one instance in an area where people gathered. Their violation was clear. They were close with each other, unmindful that the virus is still very much around),” he told the City Information Office (CIO) in a phone interview.
He hoped that Dabawenyos will not be complacent despite the city’s alert level 2 status and continue to adhere to the MPHS.
Sumagaysay ensured the strict implementation of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines amid the Christmas festivities, cautioning the public to observe physical distancing and wear face masks wherever they go.
“Dili mi magduha-duha sa pagdakop sa ilaha. Holiday na, wala pa kay sapi kay pandemic, madakpan ka pa. Makabayad ka og P500 sa first offense (We won’t hesitate on arresting violators. It’s holiday, you don’t have money because of the pandemic, and you get caught. You will have to pay P500 for the first offense),” he added.
He also said that the city’s hospitals have been vacant for quite some time due to the downtrend in COVID-19 cases. He then urged the public against getting admitted to the hospitals because of coronavirus infection.
Even fully vaccinated individuals can be infected, which is why Dabawenyos should not let their guards down, he added.
Sumagaysay said, “Ato nalang i-maintain na bakante pirmi ang hospital. Unpredictable ang sakit, it’s not a guarantee na you won’t be contaminated (Let’s just keep the hospitals vacant. The coronavirus disease is unpredictable, it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be contaminated).”
Davao City continues to enjoy a low positivity rate amid the alert level 2 status. No COVID-19 case was also recorded in the city as of December 19, 2021. CIO
