The city government has reminded the residents to adhere to an existing ordinance that prohibits spitting in public places.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar issued the reminder Tuesday following reports that spitting of saliva has also triggered the spread of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) based on a recent study.

The Covid-19 emanated from Wuhan City, Hubei province, China, and has spread to several countries, including the Philippines.

“Based on research the Covid-19 is prevalent in hotels and not necessarily inside the airplanes where people are in an enclosed area. It is high time the people should be aware that we have a law that prohibits spitting in public places,” Salazar said.

Salazar said the saliva of a person, who spit in a public place, can travel on foot if somebody will step on it.

She has called on Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, to officially take note of the findings and to include this in her awareness program.

She also ordered city administrator Marie Angelique Go to intensify the implementation of the ordinance that prohibits spitting in public places and to impose sanction to violators.

“Do not spit anywhere to protect us from the virus,” she said.

Meanwhile, Salazar has temporarily banned the travel of any local government officials to a foreign country, specifically China, Macau and Hong Kong due to Covid-19 outbreak.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 71,429 confirmed case of Covid-19 have been recorded globally as of February 17. (PNA)

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