Masks required in public places in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  People in Cebu City will now be required to wear facemasks in public places while the city is under enhanced community quarantine.

Mayor Edgardo Labella issued Executive Order No. 66, which states that the wearing of facemasks, coupled with proper sanitation and frequent washing of hands with soap and water, is among the ways to prevent transmission and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"The wearing of masks shall be done at all times and in all public places where a transmission of the said illness may take place through the modes of transmission as published by authorities in the field of public health," a portion of the executive order reads.

Public and private establishments are also mandated to refuse entry of persons who are not wearing face masks.

Those who violate the order will be punished in accordance with the penalties provided under Section 10 of RA 11332 or Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), barangay officials, and force multipliers are mandated to enforce the full extent of the order.

Speed Limits

Meanwhile, Labella also issued Executive Order No. 67 imposing speed limits for vehicles in streets and roads in the city within the ECQ period.

Vehicles traveling on national roads, highways, and city roads should run only at 40 kilometers per hour while those traveling on barangay roads and residential areas should run only at 20 kilometers per hour.

The PNP, Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) are directed to implement the full extent of the order, and apprehend and sue violators.

Barangay tanods are also mandated to implement the order in their respective barangays in coordination with the law enforcement agencies mentioned above.  JMO (FREEMAN)