Davao City Council passes face mask ordinance

DAVAO CITY — The City Council of Davao has passed an ordinance penalizing the non-wearing of face masks in public places during the community quarantine or until after the lifting of the state of public health emergency as a precautionary measure to control and prevent the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The ordinance, authored by 3rd District Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, requires that face masks must be worn in public places, which include schools, workplaces, government facilities, establishments that provide food and drinks, accommodation, merchandise, spas, professional services, salons, barbershops, entertainment or other services; and outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, sports ground or centers, church grounds, health/hospital compounds, transportation terminals, market, parks, resorts, walkways/ sideways, entrance ways, and waiting areas.

Ortiz is the chairman of the Committee on Tourism of the City Council of Davao.

Other than surgical and N95 masks, the local government permits the use of other types of protective devices, firmly fastened over the face and covering the nose, mouth, and chin, which include, among others, cloth masks, bandanas, and washable masks.

Under the ordinance, ₱500 will be meted for the first offense; ₱2,000 for the second offense; and ₱5,000 or onemonth imprisonment or both for the third offense.

The agencies tasked to implement the ordinance are the Davao City Police Office, Task Force Davao, City Health Office, barangay officials, and other law enforcers and city officials to be determined by the City Mayor.

Mayor Sara Duterte had called for an ordinance to be passed after receiving complaints that some customers of local businesses will remove their face masks after entering establishments.