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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Let science tell if non-wearing of face masks is safe in certain areas-Cua

Let science tell if non-wearing of face masks is safe in certain areas-Cua

Published Sep 13, 2022 12:44 pm

Local chief executives should allow health experts to define the meaning of crowded places and safe outdoor areas amid confusion anew on the eased rules on wearing of face masks.

League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) national chairman and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo Cua said such point of contention can be assessed through the assistance of the Department of Health (DOH) and medical experts to guide the LGUs maintain a safer environment in the midst of the non-obligatory wearing of face masks in outdoor areas.

On Sept. 12, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 3, allowing the voluntary use of face masks in outdoor settings.

The EO 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 also stated 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."

“So yun po, siguro kami sa mga LGUs we will of course align (local laws) with national guidelines. Kung ano nga ba yung safe, doon tayo, yun ang iimplement namin (So, that is it, maybe we at the LGUs will of course align local laws with national guidelines. We will abide by what is safe and that is what we will implement),’’ Cua said.

Cua has also batted for a system which will determine if the LGU can suspend the non-mandatory wearing of face masks as stated in the President’s EO in case Covid-19 cases increase or if there is a medd for them to wait for the Inter-Agency task force (IATF) to make the change in that policy.

“Sana nga pagka merong metrics or indicators na madidiscover in a community or in a locality na medyo tumataas (Covid-19 cases) tapos napupuno ang ospital whether it is because of Covid or baka dengue or whatever basta the fact na merong mga ng more hospital beds na napupuno, baka dapat merong mechanism na iallow ang IATF para may konting paghihigpit muna para lang bumababa yung mga kaso at maabsorb ng healthcare system natin (Maybe there can be metrics or indicators where if there is a slight rise in Covid-19 cases in a community or locality and the hospitals are full whether because of Covid or maybe dengue or whatever, notwithstanding the fact that there are hospitals beds that are full, maybe there should be a mechanism that will make the IATF allow the temporary slight strict enforcement of the health protocols to lessen the cases that can be absorbed by our health system),’’ he added.

Further, Cua stated that they are still at a loss if there is any mechanism that authorizes the suspension of the non-mandatory wearing of masks as mandated under EO No. 3 or if it will require the IATF to make the move or authorize the LGUs to make such decisions.

Cua said that the LPP and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) will reach out to the DOH and the IATF to openly discuss the options that may be taken in case there is a steady upswing in Covid-19 cases and hospitals are nearing the full-bed capacity. (Chito A. Chavez)

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