ILOILO City – A councilor is proposing amendments to the city’s existing facemask ordinance, particularly exemptions to such rule.
“This is only a proposal santo man sa aton observation kag santo man (sa) clamor sang iban,” said Councilor Ely Estante.
The city’s “Facemask Ordinance” mandates the wearing of face shields and masks in malls, markets, schools, commercial establishments, office buildings, and public utility vehicles.
“In the interest of road safety”, however, the ordinance exempts drivers of public and private vehicles as well as motorists from wearing face shields while driving.
According to Estante, non-wearing of facemasks/face shield should be allowed under the following conditions or circumstances:
* minors – children 10 years old and below, because of the risk of choking and suffocation
* psycho-social – people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment
* exercise – people who engage in high intensity activities like biking, running, jogging, Zumba dancing and similar activities where the wearing of mask would impair proper breathing; provided they observe other protocols such as social distancing;
* dining – when seated to eat to drink in a restaurant, cafe or similar establishments; however, face covering should be put back on once they are finished eating or drinking; (Estante said this included those dining in karinderyas, eating street foods like balut and fishball, among others.)
* driving – when alone in a personal vehicle or with family members or persons sharing the same household
* people with underlying medical conditions (upon due advise by doctors)
* such other situations, conditions, or circumstances not enumerated above but where the wearing of a facemask or face shield may be considered impractical or absurd (ex. swimming, singing as professional form of entertainment).
The proposed amendment is now up for a committee hearing after it hurdled first reading. It was eventually referred to the committee on health chaired by Councilor Alan Zaldivar.
Estante said the penalties for violators of the ordinance are still the same./PN
