Bacolod City – The wearing of face masks in riding public utility vehicles and crowded outdoor areas, where the gap between people is shoulder to shoulder, such as concerts, is still being encouraged by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently signed an executive order (EO) allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, particularly in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.
Under the EO, those who have yet to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, senior citizens, and immunocompromised persons are still “highly encouraged” to use face masks.
Lacson, who issued a similar order during the weekend for implementation in the province, reminded Negrenses that COVID 19 is still around and dangerous, citing two COVID related deaths on September 10. The next day, another death was recorded by the Provincial Incident Management Team.
When going outdoors, they should still carry a face mask, as they may enter indoor areas, Lacson said.
Let’s still use common sense, he called on Negrenses.
Based on the information he received, Lacson said that the national government through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) may also lift the use face masks indoors by December of this year.
In a press briefing at Malacañang, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that physical distancing and other minimum public health standards (MPHS) will also continue to be strictly enforced.
“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,” she added.
The EO still requires face masks to be worn in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation via land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.*(Gilbert Bayoran via tvds with PNA reports photo by tvds)