TAGBILARAN CITY –– Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap reminded his constituents to strictly follow the measures aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or face a fine of up to P5,000 and one-year imprisonment.
In a post on Facebook, the governor pushed for stricter implementation of the health protocols especially following cases of community transmission of the virus in the province.
While the provincial government is doing its best to control the coronavirus, some residents tend to ignore health protocols such as wearing face masks and observance of physical distancing.
Yap said violators of existing protocols can be punished under Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-007 and Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
In Bohol, a fine of P3,000 and six months to one-year imprisonment await curfew violators as well as those caught not wearing face masks, and violate physical distancing in public places.
Business establishments that violate the safety protocols will also be fined.
Those who return to Bohol and fail to coordinate with their local government units (LGUs) and persons who violate quarantine protocols while in isolation facilities will be slapped a fine of P5,000 and will be imprisoned for one year.
Yap directed police chiefs and mayors to look for additional detention centers for violators.
“We have been very understanding in the implementation of our laws, but the time has come that the greater good of the majority must be protected through the strict implementation of our Anti-COVID protocols,” he said.
Bohol registered 70 coronavirus cases with three deaths as of Tuesday.