It is still premature to lift the mandatory use of face masks in outdoor settings as COVID-19 admissions have slightly increased since the restriction was eased, a top official of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it is set to receive an additional 720,000 doses of pediatric Pfizer vaccines from the Australian government through the support of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
"We’re happy to announce that we are 6% away from the wall of immunity. That’s why malakas na ang loob natin for face masks. Now congruent to that as well, the state of calamity is extended for possibly three months but only for the purpose of preserving the benefits under it such as but not limited to the indemnification, emergency procurement, special risk allowance for healthcare workers," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said. "We will transition out of the state of calamity after further review," Cruz-Angeles added.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante on Tuesday said allowing the optional wearing of face masks outdoors may be very dangerous for the public, particularly the vulnerable population, as COVID-19 is still lingering and the booster uptake in the country is still low.
Though he is in favor of the continued use of face masks, the former adviser of the National Task Against COVID-19 said the government could also monitor and see the outcome of the optional face mask policy in Cebu City.