The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public that cloth masks can be reused as long as these are washed regularly---- but they should not use gasoline to disinfect it, as remarked by President Duterte.

“ cloth mask can be used for everyday routinary things that we do in the community,'' said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“Ang ibang mask pwede nating labhan paulit-ulit katulad ng cloth mask at dapat natin labhan every day pagkatapos gamitin ,” she added.

Vergeire said that President Duterte might have been joking when he said that gasoline can be used to disinfect face masks.

“Alam niyo naman pag nagsasalita si Presidente baka yung mga jokes niya lang yun, especially for gasoline ,” she said.

During a televised briefing on Tuesday, July 21, President Duterte suggested using alcohol, lysol, and even gasoline to disinfect face masks before reusing them. Vergeire said that the President was referring to cloth masks.

“Yung surgical mask and N95 mask, (these are for) single use only. Hindi pwede hugasan, may components ang mga mask natin na parang mga certain filtering mechanism na pag hinugasan o binasa, mawawala (ang) effect, di na magiging effective against filtering these viruses ,” said Vergeire.

“Pagkagamit mo within eight hours, or pag soiled na sya, kailangan itapon o palitan ,” she added.

Meanwhile, Vergeire reminded the public to use face masks properly.

"We are reminding the public that it is important to wear masks by covering their mouth and nose, and not just their chin…The mask can do nothing if it is not worn properly," she said.