Marcos Jr. signs EO making face mask outdoors optional
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order that allows optional wearing of face masks outdoors, his press secretary announced Sept. 12.
Sec. Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Executive Order No. 3 will take effect immediately upon publication on the Official Gazette.
Cruz-Angeles, however, pointed out that senior citizens, those who are immunocompromised, and those who aren't fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are highly encouraged to wear face masks.
READ | Malacañang has issued Executive Order no. 3 allowing voluntary wearing of face mask in outdoor setting @News5PH @onenewsph 📸 Official Gazette pic.twitter.com/6Y5NejFDLL
— Maricel Halili (@halili_maricel) September 12, 2022
Face masks must still be worn indoors, including in public transportation, Cruz-Angeles added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on Sept. 5 filed a resolution recommending the optional wearing of face masks outdoors.
But as early as June, the government of Cebu has made masking up optional despite the IATF's disapproval at the time.
The agency said it's still studying if wearing face masks indoors could become optional "by the end of the year."
