The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force has underscored that face masks are still mandatory in public transportation and medical health facilities as it also encourages those in the vulnerable sector to protect themselves amid President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 7 that allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor spaces.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, said Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has approved the adoption of the provisions and guidelines of EO 7 in the city.
EO 7 provides that voluntary wearing of face masks is exempted in healthcare facilities, including, but not limited to clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics; medical transport vehicles (ambulance, paramedic rescue vehicles); and public transportation (land, air, and sea).
“We do encourage gihapon sense of responsibility and accountability sa atong kaugalingon, sa atong isig katao, ug sa atong community as one. Naa na gyud na sa decision-making, kung kabalo mo nga high-risk sya sa imoha, naay activities o events nga you think nga high-risk sya for infection o transmission for yourself and others, wear your face mask. Be accountable for your health and of others (We do encourage a sense of responsibility and accountability to yourself, to others, and the community. It boils down to your decision-making. If you know that activities or events will be high-risk for you, or you think it’s high risk for COVID-19 infection or transmission for yourself and others, wear your face mask. Be accountable for your health and others),” she said during the COVID-19 Alert program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on Wednesday, November 2.
EO 7 also provides that mask-wearing is encouraged for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic individuals.
Schlosser said that with the more relaxed minimum public health standards (MPHS), “dako ang tsansa o risk nga makuha ang COVID-19 infection labi na sa sa senior citizens, imminent sa atong datos ang deaths among them (there’s a great chance or risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection particularly the senior citizens, our data on death among them is imminent)” that’s why she encouraged them to get their anti-COVID-19 primary two-dose series and booster shots.
The city health official said that although the vaccine does not promise immunity from COVID-19, it reduces the risk of contracting severe and critical symptoms that may lead to death.
Schlosser added that with the lenient MPHS and full face-to-face classes, it is wise for Dabawenyos to get their anti-COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as an added layer of protection against the severity of the disease.
She also called on private establishments that Davao City EO 11, Series of 2022 is still in effect, which encourages them to implement their health protocols to best serve their employees and clients. CIO
