Five days after the recommendation of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF), an executive order was signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to allow the voluntary use of face masks in outdoor settings while reiterating the continued implementation of minimum health standard this Monday.

Executive Order No. 03 was published this afternoon in the Official Gazette and released by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles via a press briefing clarifying that it is “effective immediately.”

In the EO, the mandate is only active in places with open spaces or non-crowded areas, provided that it has good ventilation.  

Additionally, unvaccinated individuals, senior citizens, and immunocompromised people are still highly encouraged to wear face masks and observe physical distancing even in the mentioned open areas and at all times. 

The mandate was recommended by IATF through Resolution No. 1 (s. 2022).

Data provided by the IATF showed 72 million individuals or 93 percent of the target population of the Philippines are already fully vaccinated, while 18 percent or 23 million of the said population already received their booster shots.

In a press briefing last Wednesday, Department of Health’s Officer-in-Charge, Maria Rosario Vergeire, recommended that optional wearing of face masks should only be for low-risk individuals in low-risk settings.

“Ni-liberalize natin ‘yung paggamit ng masks sa outdoors pero doon sa low-risk individuals and in low risks settings meaning hindi sila matanda, hindi sila immunocompromised. And low risk setting, ibig sabihin doon sa mga area na hindi matao at saka maayos po ang daloy ng hangin,” Vergeire said.

Photo Credit: Office of the Press Secretary website