Police nab 4,539 folk for health protocol violations

By Mar S. Arguelles

Some 4,539 persons across Bicol region were caught violating the minimum health protocols as various local pandemic task forces stepped up tighter measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 in their respective communities, a police report said.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said for the period Aug. 8 – 14, police units in various provinces have recorded 4,539 people to have disobeyed the minimum health protocols particularly the non-wearing or improper wearing of face mask, face shields, and violation of physical distancing.

Sorsogon province had the highest number of violators with 1,821, followed by Albay with 1,324, Camarines Norte, 1,100, Masbate, 134, Camarines Sur, 103, Naga City, 42, and Catanduanes with 15 violators.

The report said the majority of the violators were given warnings, while 583 people were issued citation tickets and fined.

Bicol has been declared by the Department of Health (DOH) as moderate risk area for Covid-19. The provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes were placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), while Camarines Sur was placed under GCQ with heightened restriction.