PAMPANGA, Philippines – The local government of Angeles City closed all videoke stalls in its tourist and commercial areas and fined more than a hundred individuals for not wearing face masks as SARS-CoV-2 infections in the city reached 100 on Friday, August 7.
Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr said videoke stalls and similar establishments had to be shut because these bring people together, which increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
“Marami sa bagong aktibong kaso natin, nakipag-inuman, nakipag-birthday, naki-pamiesta, at dumayo sa handaan sa ibang lugar,” he said.
(A lot of our active cases were from people who went out drinking, attended birthday parties and fiestas, or visited celebrations in other places.)
As of Friday, the city government has accosted more than 100 persons, including foreigners, for not wearing face masks. They were given citation tickets for a fine of P1,000.
Non-wearing of face masks or face covers was a violation of ordinance 546, series 2020 which imposed a P1,000 fine for the first offense, P3,000 for second, and P5,000 for the third offense.
Lazatin said there were 37 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 within one week in his city.
He urged city folk to do their part in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus by reporting to authorities those violate the city’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
“Hinihikayat ko po ang aking mga kababayan na isumbong ang sinumang makita nyo sa labas na walang suot na face mask, walang quarantine pass, at lumalabag sa ating protocols,” he said.
(We are asking the public to identify those who do not wear face masks, or who have no quarantine pass and violate quarantine protocols.)
Lazatin also warned parents who allowed their children to loiter outside of their residences.
“Kakasuhan din po natin ang mga magulang na isasama at ilalagay sa peligro ang kanilang mga anak. Huwag nyo pong hayaan na maglaro sa labas o tumambay sa labas ang inyong mga anak. Bawal po yan,” he said.
(We will also file cases against parent who put their children in harm’s way. Do not allow your kids to play outside and mingle with other kids. That is not allowed.)
The mayor said that the city government needs the full cooperation of the public in order to effectively control the spread of the disease. – Rappler.com
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