DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the optional wearing of face masks outdoors is not yet a policy.*Richard Malihan photo
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will appeal to senior citizens and immunocompromised persons to continue to wear face masks.
The governor was reacting to the announcement of the Department on Health Wednesday, September 7, that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the voluntary use of face masks outdoors.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, at a press briefing, said the optional wearing of face masks is only for low-risk individuals, and in low risk settings.
Low risk individuals do not include senior citizens and those who are immunocompromised, she said
Low risk settings mean in uncrowded areas and with proper air ventilation, she added.
Vergeire said the optional wearing of face masks outdoors is not yet a policy. The DOH, as the chair of the IATF, is “initially informing the public about the recommendation”, she said.
“I am afraid we will see less people wearing face masks,” said Lacson, who favors their use.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez on Monday said he does not believe it is time to lift the mandatory use of face masks in Bacolod City, with new COVID-19 cases still being reported.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is “optimistic” over the IATF-EID proposal to make face mask use voluntary outdoors.
She, however, did not say if he will approve the recommendation.
“It’s better if it will come from him,” she said.*