The Davao City government has reminded the public that non-essential mass gatherings are still prohibited in the city despite a change in quarantine status to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from October 1-31.
Dabawenyos are also advised not to be complacent and must continue to follow all the standard health measures – wearing of face mask, frequent washing of hands, or using alcohol-based hand rub, and wearing of the face shield in closed and crowded places.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, has emphasized the importance of not being complacent despite the easing of restrictions in Davao City.
“Although we are under GCQ status, bawal gihapon ang mga high risk nga activities such as social gatherings (Although we are under GCQ status, the conduct of high-risk activities such as social gatherings are still prohibited),” she said on Wednesday’s Covid-19 Alert Program of the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio.
Data from the Covid-19 Task Force shows that as of October 3, Davao City has de-escalated from High Risk to Moderate Risk LGU Risk Classification, with an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 12.74 per cent from the previous ADAR of 22.22 per cent reported last September 20.
Schlosser said the data shows that the city’s implementation on the ground is effective, however, this should not be a reason for complacency.
“Dili ni siya naga encourage sa katawhan nga magpabaya na ta, magkumpyansa na ta. Dili na ta magpabakuna, dili na ta magfollow og minimum public health standards. Padayon gihapon atoang lakang in terms of health protection sa mga tao, padayon gihapon atong pagtawag sa mga katawhan to follow public health standards (This does not encourage people to have their guards down, to be complacent, not to get vaccinated, not to follow minimum public health standards. We will continue with our initiatives for the people’s health protection, we still continue to call on everyone to follow public health standards,” she said.
Schlosser also reminded government agencies that Executive Order No. 43 s. of 2021 prohibiting gatherings is still in effect until December 31.
“Naay mga certain exceptions like gatherings for health, government and humanitarian services but naay limitation gihapon (There are certain exceptions like gatherings for health, government, and humanitarian services but there are still limitations),” Schlosser said.
Section 3 of the EO prohibits all government face-to-face non-essential events such as inauguration, anniversary, thanksgiving, ribbon-cutting, blessing, press conference, oath-taking program, photo opportunity, retirement honors, welcome honors, turnover, groundbreaking activity, launching a program, salo-salo, birthday, testimonial program, summer outing, team building, and all other similar activities.
Exempt from the EO are all disaster and emergency activities including the distribution of financial, food, and non-food items.
The Task Force spokesperson also urged Dabawenyos to be guided on the city government’s issuances in conducting events in the city to avoid incurring violations. Currently, Davao City is guided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Memorandum Circular 21-28 s. 2021 and the Department of Tourism (DOT) and DTI Joint Resolution No. 2021-001. CIO
