The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) cautioned the public against letting their guard down during the Holy Week as COVID-19 still exists.
While there are no official restrictions on public gatherings, DCPO spokesperson PMaj Catherine Dela Rey emphasized the importance of taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
DCPO spokesperson PMaj Catherine Dela Rey, during Monday’s Madayaw Davao program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), said: “No restrictions naman gyud ta, optional nalang pagsuot og face mask, discretion na sa tao pero dili dapat kalimtan nga naa pa gihapon si COVID-19 (We don’t have any restrictions anymore, wearing a face mask is optional, it’s people’s discretion but we should not forget that COVID-19 is still there).”
She said the Health Department has not declared that COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Therefore, it’s up to individuals to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus.
“Kay wala pa man gi-declare nga wala na ang threat, kita nalang mismo sa atong kaugalingon magbantay. As much as possible, wear a mask kung dili ta gusto ma expose gyud sa virus (Because it has not been declared that the threat no longer exists, we can only take care of ourselves. As much as possible, wear a mask if you don’t want to be exposed to the virus),” she said.
Despite the lack of official restrictions, Dela Rey urged the public to wear face masks and practice social distancing, especially in crowded places such as churches.
She noted that the recent changes in weather (too hot during the day and rains in the evening) have resulted in many people suffering from coughs and colds and that it’s crucial to protect oneself and others.
She urged Dabawenyos to protect themselves. “Kung dikit ra kaayo mo sa simbahan, distansya nalang gyud kung dili man lang nimo pamilya imong katapad o kauban. Kung gikalintura mo o grabe ang ubo, ayaw nalang adto aron dili mo makatakod (If you are too close with each other inside the church, you can distance yourself if you are not with your family members. If you have a cold or a bad cough, don’t go there so you don’t get others infected).”
She also highlighted the importance of carrying face masks while out and about, as some establishments still require them as a precaution to protect their employees. Additionally, DCPO has deployed 800 personnel to ensure the safety of the city and its residents during the Holy Week.
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, individuals need to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to keep themselves and their communities safe. The DCPO’s warning serves as a timely reminder that COVID-19 is still a threat and should not be taken lightly, especially during public gatherings.
Dela Rey, however, assured that DCPO is all set to secure the city and Dabawenyos during the Holy Week with some 800 personnel for deployment. CIO
