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IATF recommends optional use of face masks outdoors
FILE: A little girl plays with bubbles at Luneta Park in Manila with her family. (PNA photo by Alfred Frias)
MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the voluntary use of face masks outdoors, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
In a Palace media briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the optional wearing of face mask is only for low-risk individuals and in low risk settings.
“Ni-liberalize natin ‘yung paggamit ng masks sa outdoors pero doon sa low-risk individuals and in low risks settings meaning hindi sila matanda, hindi sila immunocompromised. And low risk setting, ibig sabihin doon sa mga area na hindi matao at saka maayos po ang daloy ng hangin (We liberalized the use of masks outdoors but for low-risk individuals and in low risk settings meaning they are not elderly. And low risk setting, meaning in uncrowded areas and with proper air ventilation),” she said.
The recommendation also includes the pilot study on the wearing of masks indoors in selected areas.
The task force noted that its implementation must be done in phases to ensure the population’s protection against the coronavirus.
“Tayo po ngayon ay kumakalap na ng ebidensiya, gumagawa na rin po tayo ng concept paper kung saan ‘yung study, kung saan paano natin gagawin yung study ng pagpa-pilot (We are now gathering pieces of evidence, we’re also creating a concept paper where and how the pilot study will be implemented)” Vergeire said.
She said the optional wearing of face masks outdoors is not yet a policy and the DOH, as the chair of the IATF, is “initially informing the public about the recommendation”.
“Because there was this verbal approval from the President when they talked with Secretary Benhur [Abalos Jr.] from DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], but it stated in IATF Resolution Number 1 Series of 2022, that the IATF has resolved to recommend to the President and that there should be, or the President will issue an executive order regarding this policy,” she said.
Optimistic over the proposal
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, meanwhile, said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “optimistic” over the IATF-EID proposal to make face mask use voluntary outdoors.
“Let’s just say he’s optimistic for now. Mas mabuti kasi kung sa kanya manggagaling (It’s better if it will come from him)…but right now we think the reception is optimistic,” she said.
Citing the Department of Tourism (DOT), she said studies are showing a direct correlation between the lifting of the face mask policy to an increase in tourism numbers.
However, she said local authorities also need to do their part in raising vaccination and booster rates.
“May mga studies na nagpiprisinta ng direct correlation between the removal of mandatory mask mandate atsaka ‘yung pagtaas ng turismo doon sa mga bayan. On the other hand, hindi rin tayo basta-basta maaring magbago ng ating health protocols na wala tayong backup plan (There are studies that show direct correlation between the removal of mandatory mask mandate and an increase in tourism numbers. On the other hand, we cannot just change health protocols without a backup plan) and the backup plan really here is to make sure that people are boostered,” she said.
Cruz-Angeles also reminded the public of the need to maintain a balance between the people’s health and the economy.
“Ang balancing natin dito is (We are balancing) the economy and public health. Let’s give the President some time to consider these two interests and we will articulate his policy as soon as an approval or disapproval or modification of the proposed policy comes out,” she added.
She earlier said the DOH and DOT need to reach a compromise on relaxing the face mask requirement.
Darlynz Gomez
September 7, 2022 at 6:15 PM
As a matter of personal discretion on the premise that mandatory wearing is not followed strictly anyway, no apprehensions being made. make it just a recommendation and voluntary. Sa totoo lang naka-kaabala na ang face masks.
Teresa Belmin
September 7, 2022 at 9:30 PM
Pwede pa rin naman tayong makaiwas sa Covid19 kahit alisin na ang paggamit ng facemask kase hindi naman lahat sa atin komportable magsuot at gumamit ng face mask lalo sa mga may sakit at matatanda sa kadahilanang iritable at nahihirapan sila na huminga.Maging responsable lang tayo lalo pag nasa Public place o mataong lugar.Kung uubo at babahing pwede naman tayo gumamit ng tisyu na ipangtakip sa ating bibig at ilong at pagkatapos ay itapon sa tamang basurahan ang ginamit na tisyu para hindi na magkalat ang mikrobyo at virus na napunta dito.Panatilihin din natin ang proper hygeine ng katawan at lageng mag sanitize ng kamay bago at pagkatapos gumamit ng palikuran.
Rene Rose Oriol
September 8, 2022 at 1:16 AM
Dapat po. Pag aralan munang mabuti ang mga ang PROS and CONS ng di na pagsusuot ng Facemask.bago ito ipasa at ipatupad.
May kanya kanya po tayong opinyo sa bagay na ito.Respeto at pag unawa ang kailangan natin.Muli po wag po nating kakalimutang anjan pa rin ang Covid at ang iba pang mga sakit. Nasa kamay po natin nakasasalalay ang ating kalusugan at kaligtasan. Kaya khit ano mang batas ang ipatupad ng DOH. Ay nasa sa atin iyon kung susundin ntin o Hindi.
Reynaldo L.
September 8, 2022 at 9:18 AM
It depends padin sa atin kung susundin but covid is still roaming around the world not neglecting another viruses diba. For me dapat mag suot padin cause health is a priority, and if you don’t you have naman the choice if you wear it or not.
Veria Balatbat
September 8, 2022 at 10:10 AM
Even if we stop using facemasks, we can still avoid COVID-19 because not everyone feels comfortable donning and using facemasks, especially the elderly and unwell, who become agitated and have trouble breathing. Just be careful, especially if you’re in a public or populated area. When we cough or sneeze, we can cover our mouth and nose with a tissue before throwing the used tissue in the proper trash to prevent the transmission of any bacteria or viruses. Let’s always wash our hands before and after using the restroom, and let’s practice good body hygiene.
RJ Guam
September 8, 2022 at 10:15 AM
It ought to be. Before the facemask law is established and put into effect, thoroughly weigh the benefits and drawbacks of not wearing one. Each of us has a unique perspective on this issue. We require respect and comprehension. Once more, let’s not lose sight of the fact that COVID and other diseases still exist. We are in charge of our own safety and health. Therefore, whether or not we abide by whatever laws that the DOH enacts is entirely up to us.
Gia Lou
September 8, 2022 at 10:24 AM
Bilang isang bagay ng personal na paghuhusga, sa saligan na ang ipinag-uutos na pagsusuot ay hindi mahigpit na sinusunod, walang mga pangamba na ginawa. Gawin itong rekomendasyon lamang at gawin itong boluntaryo. Ang mga maskara sa mukha ay sikat sa ngayon.
Catherine Cristobal
September 8, 2022 at 1:11 PM
I think Kelangan p rin itong Pag isipan mabuti bago ipatupad,lalo at KALUSUGAN at Buhay ng Nakararami ANg NAKASALALAY dito.Wag tayong Magpakampante Dahil Nanjan p rin ang Covid Nya Sumira sa buhay ng ilan nting mga Mahal sa Buhay,Idagdag Mo PA ang Monkey Fox virus na kinakatakutan sa Ngayon.Kung yung mga Naka Face mask nga nuon At nkaface shield pa ay nadali at tinamaan p rin ng Covid 19 virus,Paano pa kung wala tayong pananggalang dito kahit Face mask man Lang?Sa mga Senior at mga Buntis na mdaling kapitan ng Virus na ito Marahil Ay iwasan pA rin ang pumunta o mkisalamuha sa Crowded Na Lugar, Upang TULUYAN ng Mawakasan ANg Pandemya AT virus na itong Hanggang sa Ngaun ay Ating Nilalabanan.mabuti na ANg nagiingat at my disiplina sa Sarili. Keep safe and Godbless Us all 😇🙏💝💙