CABANATUAN CITY – Wearing face mask is now a legal requirement in going to public places here.
This, as Executive Order No 2020-009 (An order requiring everyone to wear face mask in public and other specific places) issued by Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara took effect on Tuesday, March 31.
In her EO, Vergara explained that wearing of facemasks “has been established as one of the best, economical and practical way of avoiding, containing and preventing the spread and transmission of the Covid-19 virus.”
She stressed that the country has been placed under state of calamity by President Duterte and this city was declared under state of public health emergency by the sangguniang panlungsod.
“For the intents and purpose of this executive order, a face mask is any mask, device or implement intended to be worn to prevent or reduce the possibility of liquid droplets and aerosols from being released into open air or from entering the wearer’s mouth and nose,” the EO reads.
These can be face masks manufactured as medical, industrial, or biohazard mask or improvised cloth or fabric which include handkerchiefs, towels, and other suitable materials provided they serve the purpose of wearing them.
The wearing of face masks shall be done in all public places regardless of the presence or absence of other people, while in private or public vehicles when traversing streets, roads and highways here, and while in private places where people converge and social distancing is necessary, the EO further prescribes.
Persons with no face masks or who refuse to wear their face masks shall be immediately sent home. “After due notice of requirement, those who still fail to comply shall be turned over to the PNP (Philippine National Police) for filing of appropriate charges,” it added.
Meanwhile, as of April 1, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to five with one already recovered; patients under investigation — 88; and persons under monitoring — 1,912.
