Marcos: Wearing face masks is now optional outdoors in PH!

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order making the use of face masks outdoors no longer mandatory.

File photo: LG PuriCare

The public should still observe physical distancing at all times

Around 2 years after the government required masks to curb the spread of COVID-19, it finally declared that face mask in "open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation" is now voluntary.

According to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, President Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 3, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings. She added,

The voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation is hereby allowed provided that not fully vaccinated individuals, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks and physical distancing will be observed at all times.

However, the decree reiterated the public's continued compliance with minimum health standards. As a matter of fact, the executive order noted that people should continue to wear face masks when "indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained."

Angeles said that Marcos relaxed the mask mandate considering that the Philippines has almost achieved a "wall of immunity" against COVID-19. She said that the country is "6 percent away from that.

According to the mandate, other countries already had "liberalized mask mandates without a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases." 

Reportedly, the country has fully vaccinated some 72.7 million individuals against COVID-19 and given booster jabs to around 18.5 million. 

The press secretary also claimed that they are implementing the voluntary face masks in stages so they can get feedback on whether or not this new policy is working.

She announced that the order would be implemented "immediately" after publication in the government journal Official Gazette.

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Source: Rappler