Headline
PBBM approves voluntary use of face masks outdoors
![People sitting on concrete](https://canadianinquirer.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/People-sitting-on-concrete-scaled.jpg)
FILE: Parents and students at Delfin Geraldez Elementary School in Novaliches, Quezon City. (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved an executive order (EO) allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, particularly in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.
“Naglabas po tayo today ng Executive Order No. 3 (We have released EO No. 3) allowing voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and reiterating the continued implementation of minimum public health standards during the state of public health emergency relating to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced in a Palace press briefing.
She said the EO, signed by the President on Monday, will be effective immediately.
“This order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the OG [Official Gazette] or newspaper of general circulation. Nasa OG na po siya (It has been published in the OG),” she said.
Under the EO, those who have yet to complete their primary Covid-19 vaccination series, senior citizens, and immunocompromised persons are still “highly encouraged” to use face masks.
Cruz-Angeles said physical distancing and other minimum public health standards (MPHS) will also continue to be strictly enforced.
“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,” she added.
The EO still requires face masks to be worn in indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
“Tuloy pa rin po ang (We will continue adhering to) other minimum public health standards intended to effectively prevent and minimize the spread of Covid-19 in the country. It shall continue to be implemented consistent with the principles of shared accountability, evidence-based decision making, socio economic equity and rights-based approach,” Cruz-Angeles said.
She said the EO also directs the Department of Health (DOH) to update the MPHS guidelines.
Open to feedback
Cruz-Angeles said the voluntary wearing of face masks will be implemented in phases or stages to gather feedback from health authorities.
“We’re doing this in stages, in phases so that we can have feedback on whether or not these new policies are working and how to make them more efficient so that hopefully by the end of the year we might be able to be voluntarily masked indoors as well,” she said.
She said the policy will be reviewed if the voluntary face mask policy would cause an increase in Covid-19 cases.
“If the voluntary masks outdoors is going to contribute to something then of course the policy will again be reviewed,” she added.
Added protection
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go suggested it is better to still wear masks outdoors, especially in public transport, despite the EO.
“Though voluntary na sa mga (in the) open areas ang pagsusuot ng (the wearing of) masks, hinihikayat ko pa rin ang ating mga kababayan, kung di naman (I urge our countrymen, if not a) discomfort on your part, na magsuot ng (to wear a) mask. Pakisuot na rin po ng inyong (Please just wear your) mask,” he said in a press briefing on Monday.
The chair of the Committee on Health and Demography likewise reiterated his appeal to avail of Covid-19 booster shots.
“I’m sure marami pa tayong (we still have a lot of) available na vaccines. Sa lahat po ng (To all who are) qualified na magpa-booster, magpa-booster na po kayo kaysa naman po ma-expire itong mga bakuna na ‘to (to take boosters, just take a booster instead of letting these vaccines expire),” he added. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)
Genelyn Villafuerte
September 12, 2022 at 10:36 PM
Thank you, I agree wearing facemask can be voluntarily. You can use it if you have sick or any necessary things that needs to protect yourself and the others. Also, not using facemask can give beneficial to children and erderly.
Catherine Cristobal
September 13, 2022 at 1:12 PM
May kanya kanya tayong tugon sa Bagong EO Naaprubahan ukol sa Boluntaryong Pagsusuot ng Face mask,Oo maaaring mas mginhawa pra sa iilan ang Hindi Pagsusuot nito kung Ikaw Ay nsa Labas ng iyong Tahanan.Ngunit para sa kagaya ko na 7 months pregnant,mas Gugustuhin Na Magsuot PA rin ng Facemask kung AKo ay lalabas Dahil ito ang Nagsisilbi kong Pananggalang para sa Naglipanang virus sa ngayon Hindi Lang ang Covid-19 na Hindi p rin nating masasabi na Covid free Tayo Dahil may iilan PA rin tayong mga kaso nito na nakatala sa kasalukuyan.Iisa Lang ang Buhay na Dapat PAKAINGATAN at PAHALAGAHAN,Kailangan Lang ng DISIPLINA at Konti pang Pagtitiis sa ilang Oras na Paggamit ng Facemask lalo n ung ikaw Ay nsa Crowded Area.Nawa Ay wag natin Ipagsawalang Bahala at abusuhin ANg bagong EO NA ipinatupad sa ngayon.Wag magpakampante at lage isipin na Naglipana p rin sa ating pligid,na Mawawala at MATATAPOS Lang Kung Tayo Ay may Pagkakaisa na LABANAN ito at SUGPUIN.Keep Safe and Godbless US ALL😇🙏🙏🙏💙💝💖
Faith Badiola
September 14, 2022 at 9:15 AM
TBH, It’s a good Idea to not wear your facemask coz we can’t feel that we’re suffocated but still alarming especially everyone is going outside, face to face are already allowed. There’s possibility we can get not just covid but some other disease. So for me and my family will still wear facemask. Prevention is the cure 💙
Jarry Himang Egang
September 14, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Tama yung sinabi ni Senador Christopher Bong Go na gamitin pa rin natin ang facemask lalo sa mga public places at matataong lugAr kung hindi naman ito nakakasagabal sa ating pang arAw araw na gawain tulad ng nakaugalian na nating lahat simula nagkaroon ng Covid19 outbreak dito sa atin.Kahit na may inilabas ng EO at pirmado na ito ng ating PAngulo alalahanin natin na di pa rin tuluyang nawawala ang banta ng Covid19 kaya nasa sa atin pa rin ang desisyon lalo at kalusugan natin at ng ating pamilya ang nAkataya.Gawin natin yung part natin para makatulong at sa ganon mawala ng tuluyang ang banta ng Covid19 para makabalik na tayong lahat sa nakasanayan nating uri ng pamumuhay.