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| PBBM signed Executive Order (EO) No. 3, making wearing a face mask optional in open and public places due to the continued decline in the threat of COVID-19 in the country. |
The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has signed Executive Order No. 3, which permits the voluntary use of face masks in outdoor settings.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made the announcement on Monday, September 12,
EO No. 3 states that "the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation is hereby permitted; provided that individuals who are not fully vaccinated, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals are strongly encouraged to wear their masks, and physical distance will be observed at all times."
In addition, face masks must be worn "indoors, in private or public establishments, including public transportation by land, air, or sea, and in outdoor settings where physical distance cannot be maintained," according to the order.
𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨. 𝟑, 𝐬. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 Signed on 12 September 2022 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒...
Posted by Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines on Sunday, September 11, 2022
Cruz-Angeles stated that other minimum public health standards, whose purpose is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country, will continue to be upheld in accordance with the principles of shared accountability, evidence-based decision-making, socio-economic equity, and a rights-based approach.
In response to the issuance of Executive Order No. 3, the Department of Health has been ordered to update the minimum public health standards guidelines.
Cruz-Angeles added that the order is immediately effective. She stated, "This order shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette (OG) or a general circulation newspaper."
The Press Secretary also said that the nation is already 6% away from the immunity wall when asked what prompted the President to order the voluntary use of face masks in outdoor settings.
"He imposed a condition, one of which is the establishment of the wall of immunity, and since we are 6% away from that, it is time," she said. "So we're doing this in stages, phases so that we can receive feedback on whether or not these new policies are working and how to make them more effective."
Hopefully, by the end of the year, we'll be able to use masks indoors as well, said Cruz-Angeles.