DAVAO CITY — The local government's City Health Office here recently issued an advisory in partnership with the Department of Education urging parents to let their children wear masks.

In a letter to the local DepEd last week, CHO officer-in-charge Tomas Miguel Ababon also urged school personnel to wear masks and the non-admission to class students manifesting flu-like symptoms such as coughs and colds.

He also requested the DepEd-Davao to remind everyone of the importance of proper hand hygiene and coughing or sneezing etiquette to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

"We issued the advisory because schools are asking us what to do as some students have manifested cough, colds, and fever, so the most effective way for us is to find preventive measures that are applicable for all and are proven scientifically," said Dr. Margie Roa-Rubio, the assistant City Health Officer for operations.

Rubio added that masks also prevent the spread of seasonal flu, which has the same symptoms as Covid-19.

"We already knew that based on our experience with Covid-19, wearing a mask is really effective against respiratory infection. Our office also advised that the memo on wearing masks could also be extended to tertiary schools," Rubio said.

Rubio disclosed that the City Epidemiologic and Surveillance Unit has coordinated with DepEd clinics for the conduct of active surveillance so that the number of active cases would be determined.

"Those in workplaces and those using public transport are also encouraged to wear masks for protection voluntarily," Rubio said.