Manila requires wearing of face masks in public during COVID-19 pandemic
MANILA, Philippines —Manila now requires people in public places to wear face masks under Ordinance No. 8627, which was signed by Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday.
“The face mask must sufficiently cover one’s nose and mouth and must be worn at all times,” the ordinance reads.
The masks could be “earloop masks, indigenous, reusable, do-it-yourself masks, handkerchiefs or such other protective equipment that can effectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19.”
Those who violate the ordinance will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 or one-month imprisonment or both for the third and subsequent offenses.
Moreno signed the ordinance in line with his CODE (Contain and Delay) COVID-19 action plan, as the country continued to grapple with the viral disease.
Previously, the city government distributed 600,000 face masks — 500,000 washable and 100,000 surgical masks — in all barangays in the city.
The Philippines has 3,423 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 349 have died while 353 managed to recover.
As of this writing, Manila has 368 cases of the viral disease.
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