The voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings is now allowed after the Office of the President issued Executive Order No. 3 last Monday.
The directive was issued upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force in Resolution No. 1, series of 2022 which sought to liberalize the mask mandate.
In amending the guidelines, the EO makes the wearing of face masks optional in open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, “provided that not-fully vaccinated individuals, seniors and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear face masks and physical distancing will be observed at all times.
Face masks shall continue to be worn in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, or in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, the EO added.
Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) intended to effectively prevent and minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the country shall continue to be implemented consistent with the principles of shared accountability, evidence-based decision-making, socioeconomic equity and rights-based approach.
The wearing of face masks was imposed nationwide in early 2020 following the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a State of Calamity subsequently imposed.
The EO said that as of Sept. 9, 2022, 72 million Filipinos or 93% of the target population in the country are fully vaccinated, while 18 million or 23% of the target population have received booster doses.
On the other hand, it noted that 88 of the 121 provinces, highly-urbanized cities and independent cities, as well as 696 of component cities and municipalities are under Alert Level 1, the lowest of the existing COVID-19 Alert Level system.
It likewise cited the effect of the pandemic on the economy, which contracted in 2020 and resulted to loss of jobs and closure of businesses.
Under EO No. 166 on the Ten-Point Agenda on economic recovery from the pandemic, all government entities, including LGUs, are enjoined to further reopen the economy through the safe resumption of economic and social activities.
In Catanduanes, majority of residents are no longer wearing face masks, with market vendors and other personnel preferring to remove the masks although many of their customers continue to observe the health protocol.