Market Operations Division nabs individuals not wearing face masks inside markets

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Market Operations Division apprehended over 30 individuals who were caught not wearing face masks while inside different markets here from January 25 to 26, 2021.

Market Operations Head Irvin Cabales told reporters in a phone conference that they apprehended the violators from various areas in the Carbon and Taboan Markets since the start of the intensified monitoring of the health protocols.

At least 15 individuals were caught on Monday, while 24 individuals were caught as of Tuesday noon.

Cabales said the operation was done to ensure that both shoppers and vendors would comply with  health protocols at a crucial time when the number of active coronavirus cases in the city has reached almost 1,000.

“Girecorida pa nato sila gahapon, by afternoon, nagsugod na gyod tag dakop. Sa tanan ni natong merkado dili lang sa Carbon, kinahanglan magsul-ob gyod silag face mask ug tarongon pagsul-ob,” said the MOD head.

(We called them for information dissemination yesterday, by afternoon we began the apprehension. This is for all markets not just Carbon, they have to wear face masks and wear them properly.)

Cabales said the violators were brought to the Tejero gym for profiling and issuance of penalty, which is either paying a fee or doing community service.

The fees are as follows: P500 for first-time violators, P1,000 for second-time violators, and P1,500 for multiple violators, including possible filing of charges in court.

The MOD is urging the public to practice this basic protocol of wearing the face masks since can reduce the risk of transmission of up to 80 percent. They also urge shoppers and vendors not to take off their masks during transactions to reduce the risk of the spread.

The intensified monitoring will continue in all markets in the city as long as the quarantine is in effect.

/bmjo