Davao City will permanently ban all welcome and send-off groups in all transportation hubs in the city starting Tuesday (February 11).
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the ban is implemented not only because of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) but for safety and security reasons as well.
Only employees, workers, drivers and passengers are allowed in airports, seaports, bus terminals, and other transportation
“Passengers can be dropped off and picked up by private or public transport drivers only,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Duterte-Carpio stressed that only passengers, employees, workers, taxi/grab drivers, and individuals who have transactions inside the said areas would be allowed.
She said passengers who are senior citizens, pregnant women, those with infants and small children, and persons with disabilities (PWD) are the only individuals allowed with assistants, in addition to their drivers.
She added that welcome and send-off parties/groups in the said areas or even at the parking lots will be permanently banned.
“All welcome greetings shall be made at your respective residences,” she said.
She also clarified that any high ranking national government officials, guests of the government, and members of the Diplomatic and Consular groups are still allowed to hold welcome and send-off activities provided that they are accompanied by their security personnel.
She also emphasized the importance of proper disinfection of public vehicles in the city.
“Taxi, Grab and other ride-sharing vehicles, bus, and van drivers must wear masks and ensure that they clean and disinfect vehicles before and after delivery of passengers to their destinations,” she said. (Rommel F. Lopez)