Alarmed by the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Muntinlupa City government has told the public to wear face masks or face fines.
On July 27, the city government recorded 1,228 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa, an increase of 122 cases from 1,106 tallied on July 26. This resulted in the increase in the number of active COVID-19 cases from 558 to 629, up by 71.
To curb the spread of the disease, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed City Ordinance No. 2020-109, or the Mandatory Use of Face Masks in Muntinlupa City, on July 27 that requires all people in the city to use face coverings or protective clothing to cover the nose, mouth, and chin.
The ordinance will be in effect for the duration of the community quarantine and any extension by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
This is in accordance with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s "Disiplina Muna" advocacy campaign on health protocols, which include wearing face masks in public, sanitizing hands, observing physical distancing and cough etiquette, and staying at home for children and the elderly.
Under the face mask ordinance, violators will be fined P300 for the first offense, P500 for the second, and P1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses. Minors who violate it will be given a warning for the first offense, withdrawal of scholarship grant from the local government or P300 for non-grantee for the second offense, and P500 for third and subsequent offenses.
The Muntinlupa police, barangay officials, and the Public Order and Security Office (POSO) will implement the ordinance.
The warning came as the city government started on Tuesday (July 27) an extreme lockdown on Building 2 of the Filinvest Socialized Housing in Bgy. Alabang that will run until Aug. 11.
Meanwhile, Planas Compound in Bgy. Tunasan was put under a 24-hour curfew that will last for 15 days.
According to the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO), face masks should be worn properly with the nose, mouth, and chin covered altogether. It said the wearing of face masks is not a substitute for physical distancing or handwashing.