The city government of Davao is all set to implement the guidelines for modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) effective July 1 until July 15, in accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Omnibus Guidelines issued on June 25.

Under MGCQ, more businesses will be allowed to operate provided that the minimum public health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and disinfection of premises and offices will still be strictly implemented.

“Kinahanglan i-implement gihapon ang mask, ang ilahang distancing sa employees and customers, make sure nga available ang alcohol sa ilahang customers and employees (Wearing of face masks is still implemented, as well as distancing of employees and customers, make sure that alcohol is available to them,” Mayor Sara Duterte in a live 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) broadcast on Wednesday.

Duterte also reminded employers that their employees’ health should still be prioritized, although public and private establishments are now allowed to operate at 50 percent or at full capacity, as the case may be.

“I-remind nato sa atoang employers nga duna tay pandemic, so dili nila dapat pugson nga mureport sa opisina ang workers nila nga nay sakit (Let’s remind our employers that we have a pandemic, so we cannot force employees to report in the office while they’re sick),” Duterte said.

She added that employers may opt to require their workers to secure a medical certificate from an in-house or referral physician for confirmation.

Under the IATF Omnibus Guidelines, movement of persons will still be limited for purposes of accessing essential goods and services, work or business.

Persons aged 21 years old and 60 years old and above, as well as those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities and other medical conditions such as pregnant women, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for the purpose of purchasing essential goods and services.

Meanwhile, outdoor non-contact sports are now allowed, such as running, biking, swimming, jogging, badminton, golf and the like, provided that they are done for exercise or training purposes and not for leisure, amusement or entertainment.

Religious gatherings are also allowed at 50 percent of the venue capacity and provided that they are held from Mondays to Saturdays only.

Lockdowns during Sundays are still in place, the mayor said.

On the other hand, fitness gyms, massage centers, waxing salons, and spa services are also allowed but they should be limited to services that do not touch the hands, face or neck of clients, she said.

Other forms of mass gatherings are also allowed but solely for business or government purposes, and only up to 50 percent of the seating capacity of venue.

Davao City is one of the areas downgraded to less strict MGCQ as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte late Tuesday night.(PNA)