Party-list lawmakers on Wednesday, Sept. 7, welcomed the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to lift the mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor spaces with good ventilation.

In separate statements, Reps. Bernadette Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list and Alfred Delos Santos of Ang Probinsyano Party-list said that it is high time for the IATF to lift the requirement of wearing face masks, with Herrera pushing for the scrapping of the policy indoors.

“I welcome the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to lift the mandatory wearing of face masks for low-risk individuals in outdoor, non-crowded spaces with good ventilation. This is a step forward to a better new normal,” Delos Santos stated.

However, he would only continue supporting the recommendation “provided other protocols are still in place, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks indoors, and the rate of vaccination and booster shots is increased.”

The lawmaker said that lifting the mandatory wearing of face masks in outdoor spaces should not lead to a new surge in Covid-19 cases.

Herrera criticized the IATF for being left behind by the public since many have not been wearing their face masks outdoors because it had been impractical for them to do so.

READ: IATF recommends optional wearing of face mask outdoors—DOH

She noted that many workers have already received their Covid-19 vaccine primary doses and boosters.

Both lawmakers lamented the unclear resolution by IATF in categorizing those allowed not to wear masks under “low-risk outdoors” and “low-risk individuals,” as well as the would-be policy for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals.

She instead called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who reportedly approved the recommendation, and Malacañang to clarify the new IATF recommendation.

“Ang payo ko: Pati sa indoors ay irekomenda na rin ng IATF na gawing voluntary ang pagsusuot ng face mask. Yung may mga gusto, magsuot pa rin, pero ‘yung mga ayaw, wag nating pilitin (My advice: IATF include indoors in the voluntary wearing of face mask. Those who like to can still wear, but if they don’t like anymore, don’t force them),” Herrera said.

These statements came on the heels of the IATF’s recommendation to make wearing of face masks in “open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation” optional.

READ: Palace mulls ‘voluntary’ outdoor masking by late 2022

Malacañang, however, encouraged senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals to still wear face masks.

Despite the possibility of a new face mask policy, Delos Santos stressed the need to make vaccines more accessible to the general public.

“I would like to appeal to the National Government to make booster shots available more accessible by lifting the restrictions against walk-ins and the requirement for online registration,” he said.

“I believe that we should make it easier for our citizens to receive their vaccines and booster shots in any way possible,” the lawmaker added.

He also reminded Filipinos to continue observing the minimum health protocols, such as social distancing, wearing of face masks indoors, observing proper hygiene and sanitation, and getting vaccinated and boosted.