ROXAS City – A replica of a casket at the Roxas City Crisis Center (RCC) surprised violators of curfew, of wearing face mask and of social distancing as they were temporarily gathered by authorities there for a lecture regarding new normal protocols and were given warnings about the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“You may end up inside if you will continue to violate health protocols,” a message posted on the corners of the casket said.
About 150 individuals here were nabbed on May 3 and 4. Majority of them were from ages 20 and below.
People of those ages require special quarantine pass when going in public places as stipulated in Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras’ Executive Order No. 16, which puts this province under general community quarantine from May 1 to 15.
According to local radio stations, those without face masks were given by the local government unit here before they were sent home.
Aside from the city and the provincial government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020 – 071 also requires wearing of face masks or other personal protective equipment while in public places.
RCC officer-in-charge Lorelie Suelo said the initiative aims to instill among the violators the serious consequences of not wearing face masks.
Over a radio interview, she also appealed to the parents of the violators to guide their children amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
For his part, Roxas City Communications Group head Melvin Galagate said that police authorities will not hesitate to arrest and discipline the violators, especially since their operation is based on existing local ordinances.
First time violators will only get a lecture and warning, while succeeding offenses will involve fines or imprisonment or both.(With a report from PIA/PN)
