The mandatory wearing of face masks in public transportation and other settings has now ended from a "technical standpoint" after the president lifted the state of public health emergency throughout the country, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa said on Saturday evening, July 22.
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"Consequently, the requirement for wearing masks in public transportation and other settings as specified in EO 7 (Executive Order No. 7) is now considered rescinded from a technical standpoint," he said.
EO No. 7 refers to the obligatory wearing of face masks in both indoor and outdoor settings while the nation is in a state of public health emergency.
Moreover, the health chief has ceased "all previously established medical protocols" except the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for vaccines and the payment of outstanding dues for the Health Emergency Allowance.
The EUA for vaccines shall be extended for an additional year to allow exhaustion of remaining doses, he said.
READ: 'Positive step forward': Herbosa commends the lifting of country's public health emergency