DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 March) – Davao City has lifted all its COVID-19 restrictions, citing the need to “swiftly re-open the city for economic recovery in view of the impending increase in prices.”
Davao City Information Office photo
Mayor Sara Duterte issued on Monday Executive Order No. 11 “lifting all COVID-19 restrictions in Davao City,” effectively allowing public gatherings and pre-pandemic workplace setups, as well as leisure activities and transportation arrangements, provided that minimum health requirements are still followed everywhere.
In justifying the lifting, Duterte’s EO notes that as of March 7, 84.19% of the target population are now fully vaccinated with 16.80% already done with their booster shots.
The EO continues to require the use of face masks, except when eating or drinking. It also requires establishment to make sanitizers and handwashing facilities available for everyone in all businesses, offices, or establishments.
The EO also said the City Health Office, through its COVID-19 Daily Case Bulletins, has reported a total of 174 active cases in Davao City as of March 7, down from 775 active cases as of February 21 and 370 as of February
The EO also does away with contact tracing requirements and the need for QR Codes at entrances and exits of establishments.
Social distancing requirements have also been lifted.
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The city will also no longer require strict documentary requirements at its borders and ports for land, sea, and air travelers, except for law enforcement requirements.
The EO also allows home isolation for the remaining positive cases in the city, while lockdowns will no longer be imposed.
All businesses, offices, and establishments are allowed pre-pandemic operational capacity and all public utility vehicles at full carrying capacity based on pre-pandemic guidelines.
Contact and non-contact sports are allowed, to include trainings and tournaments/competitions.
The EO says businesses, offices, and establishments may create and implement their own COVID-19 restrictions within their premises only.
According to the Department of Health regional office, Davao City has only146 active cases as of Monday out of the total 72,148 cases since mid-March 2020. Of this number, 70,048 are recoveries and 1,954 are deaths. (Yas D. Ocampo / MindaNews)
