By Joseph Jubelag
GENERAL SANTOS CITY- The City Council approved on Tuesday an ordinance seeking the mandatory use of face masks in public places.
City Councilor Franklin Gacal, who authored the measure, said the wearing of face masks in public places during the community quarantine period and beyond will now be mandatory for all residents of the city.
He said the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places is aimed at preventing the local transmission of COVID-19 among the local residents who might be infected or suspected to be carriers of the virus.
He said violators of the measure will be imprisoned for one month or fined P3,000.
Under the measure, the city government authorizes citizen’s arrest against violators of the ordinance, where ordinary citizens may arrest violators who fail to wear face masks while out in public.
He added that business establishments and companies in the city are mandated to provide face masks for their employees,
Gacal said the effectivity of the ordinance will immediately take effect upon its approval.