By Marisol Booc, Helen Castaño | 05:011 PM September 12, 2022
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday has signed Executive Order No. 3, allowing the voluntary use of face mask in outdoor settings.
EO No. 3 states that “the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation is hereby allowed; provided that not fully vaccinated individuals, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks and physical distancing will be observed at all times.”
The order added that face masks should still be worn “in indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.”
“Naglabas po tayo today ng Executive Order No. 3, allowing voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and reiterating the continued implementation of minimum public health standards during the state of public health emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said at a press briefing.
Cruz-Angeles also said the order is effective immediately.
“Ito na po ‘yung ina-announce ng DOH na voluntary wearing of face masks outdoors, in non-crowded places, provided… kung kayo ay immunocompromised, seniors or hindi kumpleto ang bakuna, kailangan pa rin po mag-face mask or strongly encouraged ang face masks,” Cruz-Angeles said.
other minimum public health standards, which aim to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country, shall still be observed with the principles of shared accountability, evidence-based decision making, socio-economic equity and rights-based approach.
The Department of Health has been ordered to update the minimum public health standards guidelines amid the issuance of EO No. 3.
In Bohol, 3rd district Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor welcomed the executive order.
“We welcome the President´s EO No.3 on the voluntary wearing of facemask in outdoor setting,” said Tutor in a statement.
Just last week, Tutor issued a statement on supporting the voluntary use of face mask in outdoor places.
“We are glad that we are on the right sentiment with the President. In this way, we´ll be able to help our environment. This is also to encourage our people to get themselves fully vaccinated and to get booster shots that are now available in our LGUs. This is indeed a breaather for all of us,” Tutor said.
