On Monday (March 7) Mayor Sara Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 11, Series of 2022, known as An Order Lifting All COVID-19 Restrictions in Davao City.
"There is a need to swiftly reopen the city for economic recovery in view of the impending increase in prices," the EO reads.
The order emphasized that face masks should be worn at all times except when eating or drinking.
Handwashing facilities with soap and water or alcohol and hand sanitizers must be available for everyone inside businesses, offices, and other establishments.
The one-meter distancing requirement is also lifted.
The EO also provides that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 159 dated January 27, 2022, or any further issues related therein shall be used as the guide for international air and sea travelers.
However, no documentary requirement shall be required of land, sea, and air domestic travelers, except those who may be required by the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to present their valid IDs in connection with law enforcement, anti-illegal drugs, and antiterrorism operations.
EO 11 also provides that aside from the suspension of the use of DQR for contact tracing, home isolation shall be allowed for positive cases; no lockdowns, including granular lockdowns, shall be imposed as part of the COVID-19 response of the City Government of Davao; and all businesses, offices, and establishments are hereby allowed pre-pandemic operational capacity.
The alternative work arrangements for local and national government offices were also lifted while all public utility vehicles are allowed full carrying capacity based on the pre-pandemic guide.
All contact and non-contact sports are now allowed, including training and tournaments or competitions.
EO 11 also states that all businesses, offices, and establishments may create and implement their COVID-19 restrictions within their premises only.
"Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental to the promotion of the general welfare," it added.
The city is currently at 86.20 percent for COVID-19 vaccine first doses and 84.19 percent for second doses of the 80 percent of the city's total population of 1,518,288, while 16.80 percent have already received their booster shots.
On March 7, the city recorded 174 active cases compared to the 775 active cases as of February 21 and 370 active cases on February 28.