Mayor Sara Duterte encouraged the people and businesses to clean their establishments and surroundings to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)..
In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on Thursday, Duterte said it would be efficient if the general public will conduct sanitation procedures within their areas.
However, she discouraged the use of spraying or misting as it can only cause harmful side effects to the body.
The Department of Health (DOH), earlier, said that there is no proof that spraying and misting are effective as it even warned that these can cause skin irritation, environmental pollution and skin cancer.
DOH advised the public to instead soak objects or use different rags per area to disinfect surfaces. In this way, pathogens will be removed from surfaces.
Under Executive Order No. 24, the mayor also ordered all government and private offices, educational institutions, places of worship, hotels and business establishments – including events places, restaurants and other food establishments, groceries, supermarket, wet market/palengke to close for one day to conduct disinfection and general cleaning.
Exempted from the general cleaning are government emergency services, hospitals, and funeral parlors.
Establishments that were not operating during the ECQ can schedule when to conduct general cleaning but for those that were operating, the schedules are:
April 27 – All government offices
April 28 – All private offices
April 29 – Business establishments
April 30 – Hotels and other similar establishments, events places, restaurants, and other food establishments, groceries, supermarket, wet market/palengke
May 4 – Educational institutions, places of worship
“Everything must be wiped using rags and floor mops. The cleaning materials from one area or surface must be kept separate and should not be used in other areas or surfaces to avoid cross-contamination. As an example, mops for the floors should not be used on the walls or restroom cleaning materials should not be used in the kitchen,” Duterte said.
She also cited that the standard disinfection solution should be 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution (1:10 solution) for surface disinfection.
“Using commercially available household bleach at 5% active chlorine, dilute 1 part of bleach to 9 parts of clean water; or using chlorine powder/granules/tablet at 60% – 70% active chlorine, dissolve 1 tablespoon of chlorine (equivalent to 10 grams) to 2 liters of clean water. Mix the solution thoroughly using a stick,” she said.
She also reiterated the strict observance of the one-meter distance between clients and workers in government offices, banks and other establishments that are operating. Wet markets should also create a floor plan.
She reminded the public to avoid abusing the usage of the food and medicine passes as those are intended only to buy foods and medicines.
These past few days, the city mayor observed several private cars roaming around the city. This prompted her to warn the public to stay at home, or the city government will not help those who will get sick for violating the quarantine protocols.
“I really wanted to put a stop to this already. The only way to do that is to follow the guidelines. We should all stay at home and follow the orders given to you, or else, this will not end at all,” she said, asking for the cooperation of the public.
She urged the public to refrain from going outside as they have given already ample days to buy their food and medicine stocks. This after the city decided to schedule the days on when the FM passes will only be valid.
