BAGUIO COPS ORDERED TO STRICTLY ENFORCE FACE MASK, FACE SHIELD EDICT

23 June 2021 – The city continuous to brace itself against the more infections Delta variant of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019 with the stricter enforcement of the city’s face mask and face shield ordinance, aside from the minimum public health standards, to prevent further surges in cases in the future.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to strictly implement the face mask and face shield ordinance to help in instilling awareness among the people in preventing them from contracting the more infectious variant of the deadly virus.

He added that based on the revelation of health experts, the Delta variant is 60 percent more infectious compared to the other variants, aside from the fact that it could cause a person to be hospitalized and be classified as a severe case of COVID.

The city chief executive claimed that the local government cannot afford a drastic surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city that may be trigged by the more infectious Delata variant thus it is best thing that people strictly comply with the basic health and safety protocols.

Ordinance No. 49, series of 2021, or the Baguio Face Mask and Face Shield Ordinance of 2021, provides that any person venturing outside the comforts of their respective abodes, or going to public buildings and places shall, at all times, wear face mask and face shield until the threat of COVID-19 is completely eliminated in the country, or during the state of public health emergency.

However, face mask shall not be required to be worn by infants or children who are 2 years old and below and when eating or drinking in public places and where the wearing of face mask impedes physical and sensory functioning of persons with disabilities.

Also, face masks may not be worn in public places where patients had been advised by the physician against wearing face shields due to a particular medical condition or while engaged in activities that require physical exertion such as brisk walking, jogging, running, biking, aerobic exercises and other forms of physical exercise, provided that physical distancing is strictly observed and where the wearing of face shield directly causes hazard or impede vision or mobility while in the conduct of work or while driving vehicles.

The ordinance stipulated that it shall be unlawful for any person or entity within the territorial jurisdiction of the city to leave their homes to go to public places, buildings, national roads or highways, sidewalks, walkways, or public conveyances or other similar establishments without wearing face and face shield.

Any person found violating the aforesaid ordinance shall be fined, for non-wearing of face mask, P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P3,000 for the third offense and cancellation of business permit if applicable.

For non-wearing of face shield where it should be worn and the indiscriminate disposal of used or damaged face mask and face shield, a fine of P500 for the first offense, a fine of P1,000 for the second offense and a fine of P2,000 for the third offense and cancellation of business permit, if applicable. –Dexter A. See