By Minka Klaudia Tiangco The Manila City government now requires the use of face masks in public places in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, following the signing of an ordinance. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Wednesday signed Ordinance No. 8627, which states that all persons within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippine capital are mandated to use face masks in public places. “The face mask must sufficiently cover one’s nose and mouth and must be worn at all times,” the ordinance read. These masks include “ear loop masks, indigenous, reusable, do-it-yourself masks, handkerchiefs, or such other protective equipment that can effectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19.” Violators may be fined P1,000 for the first offense and P2,000 for the second. On the subsequent offense, violators will have to pay a P5,000-penalty and/or be imprisoned for a month. Earlier this month, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the national government is requiring everyone to wear face masks in public spaces. He urged local government units to issue necessary ordinances or executive orders aligned with this and to penalize violators. The Manila City government recently distributed around 600,000 face masks to all families in the city. One face mask was given to the quarantine pass holder of each family. The latest city government data showed that there are now 368 COVID-19 cases in the country's capital, with 47 deaths and 31 recovered patients.