DILG to require ordinances from LGUs mandating health protocols

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it would require local government units to pass ordinances requiring people to heed minimum health standards to prevent the spread of SARS Cov2, the highly transmissible virus that causes COVID-19.

Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing Jr. said the department would soon issue a memo to all LGUs to pass these ordinances which would carry penalties for people who leave their homes and go out into the streets without practicing minimum public health standards.

Travellers should be covered, too, by the ordinances, Densing said in an interview with ABS-CBN Teleradyo on Tuesday (March 2).

Minimum health standards involved wearing of face masks, face shields and keeping safe distances from other people as the virus can travel for up to a distance of one to two meters.

The government recently issued standard domestic travel protocols, prompting the DILG to consult LGUs.

Under the new national government guidelines, travellers no longer need to submit travel authority and medical certificate from local government units when they leave or arrive in any place.

TSB