The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force has underscored that even if Davao has already been placed under Alert Level 1, Dabawenyos must still strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) to protect themselves and prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said the recent IATF guidelines have allowed establishments on full capacity and full operation under Alert Level 1, provided that the MPHS remained followed, particularly the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
“We are very particular with the MPHS. Emphasis sa Alert Level 1, even if there are no more restrictions, dapat na ma-follow gihapon ang MPHS (The Alert Level 1 emphasizes that even if there are no more restrictions, the MPHS must still be followed),” she said during the Bida Bakunado program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on Friday afternoon, March 4, 2022.
The purpose of putting a local government unit (LGU) under Alert Level 1 is economic recovery, she said.
Dr. Schlosser also said that the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force is looking at the balance between health and economic recovery.
She said, “Ang usa pangkabuhayan, ang usa life itself. What if magkaroon napud massive transmission, affected gihapon atong economy (One thing is livelihood while the other one is life itself. What if another massive transmission hits, it will still affect the economy).”
In Davao City, she said that the directive from the city mayor is to be particular about the MPHS. “We are heading toward economic recovery but we have to make sure that health will not suffer,” the city health official added.
Dr. Schlosser said the City Government of Davao along with the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force have been repeatedly reminding Dabawenyos about the MPHS, which have been proven effective in protecting people from COVID-19 transmission for the past two years, as well as vaccination that also protects people from contracting severe or critical symptoms of the disease that may lead to death.
She also said that an executive order (EO) from the City Government of Davao will soon be released and Dabawenyos will then know if the city will fully adopt the IATF guidelines on Alert Level 1 or modify them.
The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force is still discussing the conduct of gambling activities in the new alert level and the EO will finalize its decision. CIO
