ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. has ordered the implementation of a “no face mask, no entry” policy at the Pampang and San Nicolas Public Markets starting on Monday, March 23, 2020.
Mayor Lazatin said buyers in the public markets are strictly required to wear face masks. Individuals who will not follow the policy would not be granted entrance.
With this, he instructed the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, headed by Richard Saul, to turn over 500 pieces of cloth face masks to the officials of the public markets as part of the city’s preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID 19).
Lazatin further shared that the said face masks were prepared by illegal drug offenders who settled for a plea bargain agreement and are currently undergoing reformation.
“This policy is to promote being vigilant, safe, and alert amidst the coronavirus scare while we are still facing the outbreak in the country,” he mentioned.
He also said it is important to follow the safety measures to protect the welfare of the general public, such as intensifying social distancing practices, since Angeleños are allowed to go out to purchase basic necessities.
Aside from this, buyers are also required to undergo misting before entering the public markets.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), social distancing significantly limits face-to-face interactions, and prevents touching one another by maintaining a distance of at least one meter away from another person to reduce contact and avoid the possible spread of the virus.
“We are strictly monitoring the compliance for social distancing and other precautionary measures inside the public markets because this is the basic and most effective way to avoid the local transmission and contraction of the COVID 19,” said Lazatin.
Meanwhile, upon the instruction of Mayor Lazatin, Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel distributed thermal scanners to 33 barangays in the city, as well as to checkpoints in all entry and exit points.
Mayor Lazatin, with Calaguas and Manuel, also inspected the six Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the city for the assessment of a systematic response in case there are reported suspected cases of COVID-19.
In addition, he appealed to the public to cooperate with the efforts of the local government to combat the coronavirus since it is for public welfare and safety.
He then reminded his constituents to only trust credible sites for their source of news and information such as the Angeles City Information Office, and other credible media outlets.
“Please avoid spreading fake news for this will just add more panic and worry. Instead, let us join hands and pray that this will soon be over,” he added. -LDF/VH
