BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the city council have approved a resolution making the use of face masks outdoors here voluntary in keeping with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Magalong issued Executive Order No. 107-22 dated Monday, Sept. 12, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor low-risk settings in line with the President's Executive Order No. 03-2022 – "Allowing Voluntary Wearing of Facemasks in Outdoor Settings and Reiterating the Continued Implementation of the Minimum Public Health Standards during the State of Public Health Emergency Relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic."
The city council had earlier approved Resolution No. 408, Series of 2022, on Sept. 12 supporting the President's order and requesting the mayor to issue an executive order for the implementation of policy pending the amendment of City Ordinance of Baguio No. 045-2020 or the Face Mask Ordinance of 2020 in the City of Baguio, as amended by City Ordinance No. 049-2021 or The Baguio City Face Mask and Face Shield Ordinance of 2021 and the Regulation of Indiscriminate Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the City of Baguio.
"I welcome these new developments and in fact had prepared instructions ahead of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) recommendations to the President. It is high time that we progress forward with revival of those activities and projects that were stalled during the worst days of the pandemic-but we shall do so with caution," Magalong said.
"The public, especially our immunocompromised constituents, are strongly urged to continue wearing their face masks even in outdoor areas. Covid-19 testing sites are still available, our Triage Unit at the Baguio Convention Center shall remain operational, and we are actively working with the Department of Health to make vaccination sites available and accessible in various areas of the city," he added.
Per O 107-22, the wearing of face masks will be voluntary only in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with adequate ventilation.
"However, senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, and unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons are strongly urged to continue wearing face masks," Magalong said.
"As these remain close-contact settings, mandatory wearing of face masks shall still be implemented in indoor public and private establishments, crowded outdoor settings, and in public transportation.”
“The recommendations of the IATF-EID, and the Department of Health, relative to the removal face masks while eating, drinking, engaging in strenuous activity, or while conducting particular work or industry is likewise reiterated," he added.
"Other practices pursuant to minimum health public health standards such as frequent hand washing, cough etiquette, avoidance of unnecessary close contact, and implementation of adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces shall continue to be implemented."