By Alec Go
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the “liberalization” of mandatory face mask policy to make “mask wearing outdoors voluntary across the country.”
In a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 7, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the recommendation through IATF Reso. No. 1 signed Sept. 5 covers only outdoor settings, or low-risk areas, and individuals.
“Ito ay nagiging optional in open spaces or non-crowded areas with good ventilation, provided that senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear masks,” she said.
“Ang tuluyang lifting ng mandatory mask mandate ay ipa-pilot towards the last quarter of 2022, provided na may improvement sa COVID-19 booster vaccination coverage,” she added.
BASAHIN: Inirekomenda ng IATF-EID kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na gawing boluntaryo ang pagsusuot ng face mask sa open spaces, hindi matataong lugar, at mga lugar na may maayos na bentilasyon.
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— PTVph (@PTVph) September 7, 2022
Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said President Marcos has already given a verbal approval on the recommendation, but has yet to issue an executive order to make it an official policy.
Vergeire urged vulnerable sectors to continue wearing face masks, and that public transportation is not covered by the recommendation noting that it is a crowded setting.
“Kailangan nating maintindihan na this is optional, this is voluntary. Kailangan lahat tayo alam natin to assess our risk. Kailangan lahat tayo naiiintidihan natin kung kailangan natin mag-mask sa isang lugar o hindi,” she said.
“Ngayon na nagkakaroon tayo ng liberalized policy on mask use, kailangang magpabakuna tayo para sa the safeguards will be there… We have confidence in our vaccines that’s why we are liberalizing the use of mask,” she added.
Meanwhile, the IATF will study the easing of mandatory face mask wearing in indoor settings, with a pilot study set to determine whether or not the health sector is amenable for the lifting “towards the end of the year if booster coverage will improve in the country.” – gb
