The city government of Davao has ordered an extension of the ban on face-to-face non-essential gatherings of government offices in the city until the end of the year.
Based on Executive Order No. 43 signed by Mayor Sara Duterte, the activities prohibited until Dec. 31 include inaugurations, anniversaries, thanksgivings, ribbon-cuttings, blessings, turnovers, groundbreaking activities, program launches, salo-salos, birthday celebrations, press conferences, oath taking programs, photo opportunities, retirement honors, and welcome honors.
Testimonial programs, summer outings, team building activities, training, seminars, and other similar activities are also banned.
“All non-emergency activities, training, and seminars are allowed on online platforms only. However, offices may apply for exemption from the coverage of this section to the City Mayor’s Office,” the EO reads.
Essential and emergency activities such as the distribution of financial, food, and non-food items are still permitted. However, aid distribution which is not related to disasters or emergencies must be done on a house-to-house basis.
High positivity rate
The local government expressed alarm over the increase of the rate of COVID-19 household transmission in the city.
The latest report showed the city has a record-high positivity rate of 30.5%, and that some of the cases are from household transmissions.
Residents have already been advised to avoid conducting family and social gatherings, follow health protocols, and to get vaccinated.
The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force said social gatherings pose a high risk for transmission due to the Delta variant threat and the high number of COVID-19 cases.
The city had 372 new cases on Sept. 2, bringing the number of total active cases to 5,817. – Reports from Hanna Salcedo and Jaira Mondez (PTV Davao)/AG- jlo
