The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the optional wearing of face masks in outdoor spaces where good ventilation is guaranteed across the country. However, senior citizens and those with immunocompromised individuals are still highly encouraged to continue wearing masks.
This IATF proposal to lift the mandatory use of masks outdoors is not a policy yet, as President Marcos still needs to issue an executive order.
If approved by the President, a pilot test of the said proposal will happen towards the last quarter of this year.
However, several health experts and the Department of Health want to retain the mandatory wearing of face masks. They feel that it is not yet the proper time to enforce such a policy in the country, saying that it is dangerous as it could lead to more cases, given that not many have taken booster shots after their primary COVID-19 vaccines.
The considerations for implementing the pilot testing will also depend on improving the country’s booster shot vaccination rate.
The government should also consider the data presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), showing that the volume of tourists will increase once the outdoor mask mandate is lifted.
With the current plateau and slow decline in the number of cases in the country, the government is slowly shifting toward normalcy or the possible endemicity of COVID-19.
As of Thursday, September 8, 2022, the Philippines reported 2,204 new cases with an 11.9% positivity rate.
Manila Bulletin. (n.d.). IATF recommends optional wearing of face mask outdoors—DOH. [online] Available at: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/07/iatf-recommends-optional-wearing-of-face-mask-outdoors-doh/ [Accessed 9 Sep. 2022].
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