The Davao City government has announced it will re-impose curfew hours amid the continuing threat of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an advisory, the city government said curfew hours from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be re-implemented starting Oct. 15 until Dec. 31, 2020 as part of its efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the measure is based on interviews with patients infected with COVID-19.
“Base ni siya sa mga interviews sa confirmed COVID-19 patients, nakita nato ang mga lihok and we deemed it na kinahanglan na iregulate ang mga activities nga ginabuhat sa mga tao nga dili essential,” she said on Monday’s broadcast of the Davao City Disaster Radio.
(This is based on interviews of confirmed COVID-19 patients. We have seen their movement and deemed it necessary to regulate the non-essential activities of the people.)
Mayor Sara noted that the surge in the number of coronavirus cases continued after the relaxation of movement restrictions under the current Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) and the lifting of the curfew hours in July.
She stressed the need to control the cases in the city because of the critical status of the number of beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients in the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Duterte also said the re-implementation of the curfew aims to pre-empt the possible increase of cases due to after-work non-essential activities ahead of the holiday season.
In an Executive Order No. 55 issued on Monday, Duterte said the following are exempted from the curfew hours:
- All government workers who are on duty during curfew hours;
- All private offices and establishments employees who time in and time out of work within the curfew hours, this shall mean to include their travel to and from their residence;
- All medical doctors and veterinarians who need to work;
- Workers of public utility companies (energy, water, internet, etc.) conducting construction, maintenance, or emergency activities
The following are also exempted from the curfew:
- Subsistence and business fishing activities, their vessels are subject to lawful inspection by the Maritime Police, Task Force Davao, Navy or Coast Guard, if there is a reasonable belief that there is an illegal activity or unlawful materials in the vessel;
- Individuals attending the wake of a family member;
- All medical, emergency, and disaster cases.
Individuals who are inspected on the streets or stopped in checkpoints are required to present an employee’s ID of an establishment operating within the curfew hours.
Mayor Sara stressed that the curfew shall cover only individuals but offices, establishments, places of worship, and other institutions are encouraged to adjust their operating hours.
Duterte also tasked the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to monitor and provide transportation augmentation for passengers who will be stranded during the curfew hours.
Buying liquors and other intoxicating drinks is also banned from 7 pm to 5 am every day. Drinking in public places such as roads, alleys, open spaces, and other similar places is prohibited every day at any given time.
Also, all videoke and karaoke sessions inside private property shall be prohibited from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
All public venues and establishments that do not have a business permit to operate as a videoke, karaoke, or sing-along place are prohibited to operate their equipment 24 hours a day.
The city government warned to impose sanctions against those who will violate the rules.
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