Mandatory Wearing of Face Masks or Other Protective Equipment in Public Areas

April 9, 2020

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 071-20

 

With the intent of preventing further increase in COVID-19 cases in the country, and consistent with the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), through IATF-MEID Resolution No. 18, dated 1 April 2020, Local Government Units (LGUs) covered by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) are hereby enjoined to:

1. Strictly implement the mandatory wearing of face masks by all residents in public areas, whenever they are allowed to go out of their homes, at all times. LGUs shall issue local ordinances, executive orders or advisories on the mandatory wearing of face masks, to include imposition of sanctions to non-compliant residents as may be appropriate.

Due to the prevailing shortage of face mask supplies, wearing of improvised masks and other protective equipment, such as indigenous, reusable, homemade or do-it-yourself masks, face shields and handkerchiefs, that can reduce risks of local transmission of the virus shall be allowed.

2. Encourage their respective communities to ensure the supply of face masks or other protective equipment by preparing/devising their indigenous, reusable, homemade or do-it-yourself masks and face shields.

3. Conduct regular monitoring and ensure compliance of the public to the mandatory wearing of face masks for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.

Considering that there are confirmed positive cases in all regions nationwide, LGUs outside ECQ areas are also encouraged to implement the above-stated measures to prevent further local transmission of COVID-19.

To facilitate monitoring and reporting on LGU compliance to this circular, all City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs) and authorized personnel from DILG Provincial Offices are directed to accomplish and/or update the online reporting questionnaire provided in this link: bit.ly/DILG-MANDATORYFACEMASK every Wednesday of each week for the duration of the State of National Emergency. The results of said online reporting questionnaire shall serve as input to the weekly National Report on the Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as Bayanihan to HEAL as One Act.

The DILG Regional Offices and BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Government shall be provided with access to generated real time status reports in order for them to monitor compliance of LGUs; and/or actions taken by field officers stationed in said LGUs. The e-mail address of the regional focal person designated to monitor compliance to this MC shall be provided to the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) through email address [email protected]

All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government are directed to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of this Memorandum Circular to all LGUs within your respective areas of responsibility.

For strict compliance.

(SGD.) EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary