As the world is slowly implementing the optional wearing of face masks outdoors, the Philippines is set to follow suit with the current trends in the post-pandemic, new normal scenario. Recently, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 3, which allows the “voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation”.
With the signing of EO 3, Filipinos now have the option to not wear face masks while outdoors or in open spaces like parks. However, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles added that they highly encourage wearing facemasks for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals.
You can check the soft copy of the signed EO below:
One of the reasons for the optional wearing of masks outdoors is part of the country’s effort to relax its current COVID-19 protocols and treat the virus just like the ordinary flu.
“According to the IATF, their recommendation is to liberalize our mask mandate and make mask-wearing outdoors voluntary across the country. It becomes optional in open spaces or noncrowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, provided that senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks, to continue wearing masks,” Angeles said in a press briefing.
In the long run, DoH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said that they plan to conduct a pilot test of the total lifting of the wearing of face masks–provided that COVID-19 booster coverage is improved nationwide.
