Davao City – A new Executive Order released by the City Government of Davao has lifted COVID-19 rules, including the use of the DQR for contact tracing, but the wearing of face masks had been retained.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 11, Series of 2022, known as An Order Lifting All COVID-19 Restrictions in Davao City on Monday, March 7, 2022.
“There is a need to swiftly reopen the city for economic recovery in view of the impending increase in prices,” the Order states.
While the one-meter distancing requirement was lifted, EO 11, Series of 2022 still underscored that face masks should be worn at all times except when eating or drinking.
Handwashing facilities with soap and water or alcohol and hand sanitizers must be available for everyone inside businesses, offices, and other establishments.
The EO also provides that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 159 dated January 27, 2022, or any further issuances related therein shall be used as the guide for international air and sea travelers.
However, no documentary requirement shall be required of land, sea, and air domestic travelers, except those who may be required by the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to present their valid IDs in connection with law enforcement, anti-illegal drugs, and antiterrorism operations.
EO 11 also provides that aside from the suspension of the use of DQR for contact tracing, home isolation shall be allowed for positive cases; no lockdowns, including granular lockdowns, shall be imposed as part of the COVID-19 response of the City Government of Davao; and all businesses, offices, and establishments are hereby allowed pre-pandemic operational capacity.
The alternative work arrangements for local and national government offices were also lifted while all public utility vehicles are allowed full carrying capacity based on the pre-pandemic guide; and all contact and non-contact sports are allowed, including trainings and tournaments or competitions.
EO 11 also states that all businesses, offices, and establishments may create and implement their COVID-19 restrictions within their premises only.
“Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental to the promotion of the general welfare,” it added.
Davao City, as EO 11 cited, is currently at 86.20 percent for COVID-19 vaccine first doses and 84.19 percent for second doses of the 80 percent of the city’s total population of 1,518,288. Of the total number of fully vaccinated individuals, 16.80 percent have already received their booster shots.
The city’s reopening of the economy was also attributed to the downtrend in daily reported COVID-19 active cases. As of March 7, at least 174 active cases were logged in Davao City, compared to the 775 active cases as of February 21 and 370 active cases as of February 28.
During the surge in mid-January to mid-February, daily cases went up as high as over a thousand.
For the full provisions of EO 11, check https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/transparency/executive-orders/2022-2/
(Source: Davao City Information Office)