cdn mobile

It’s official: Wearing masks indoors, outdoors now voluntary

By: Daniza Fernandez - Inquirer.net | October 29,2022 - 08:06 AM

Photo of two girls wearing face masks.

| File photo

MANILA, Philippines — Wearing face masks in indoor and outdoor settings is now voluntary.

Executive Order (EO) No. 7, allowing the optional face mask use and reiterating the continued implementation of public health emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic, was signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and released on Friday.

Under the order, wearing face masks is still mandatory in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and public transportation.

The elderly, persons with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic persons are encouraged to wear a face mask.

Minimum public health standards (MPHS) to prevent COVID-19 spread will still be implemented.

Health protocols to prevent COVID-19 infection include hand hygiene, frequent hand-washing, observance of physical distancing, and maintenance of good ventilation, especially indoors.

The Department of Health (DOH) will update the MPHS guidelines according to the order.

Moreover, the EO also tasked the local government units (LGUs) to submit regular vaccination and booster coverage status reports to the DOH.

As of October 26, around 73.5 million individuals in the country are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the figure, 20.5 million persons received booster shots.

LGUs and government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities are directed to render full assistance and cooperation with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to implement the order.

EO No. 3, which allowed the optional wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and issued in September, is now repealed.

RELATED STORIES

Non-obligatory wearing of face masks in Cebu City stays

Rama welcomes nat’l gov’t’s plan to make wearing of face masks indoor optional

Gwen welcomes Palace’s plans to make face masks optional indoors

Bongbong Marcos to order voluntary face mask use while indoors – DOT exec

To wear, or not wear, face masks vs COVID: The zigzag road PH is taking

 

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

TAGS: Cebu Daily News, COVID-19, Face masks, outdoors
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.