DOH: “The local governments have that prerogative of imposing this kind of mandates, for example sa mask”
DOH — The Department of Health said that local government units (LGUs) may still implement the mandatory wearing of face masks in their respective areas under certain circumstances.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Friday that local government units may still require their constituents to wear their face masks in indoor and outdoor settings if there is crowding. She also said that doing so is still aligned with the national government’s policy.
Vergeire took both the cities of Manila and San Juan for the observance of All Saints’ Day as an example.
In Manila, it was announced that people visiting the Manila South Cemetery and the Manila North Cemetery from October 29 to November 2 are required to wear their face masks. In San Juan, wearing of face masks will be mandatory if the number of visitors reach the 50% capacity of the cemetery.
To recall, it was last September when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings.
Also, the President is set to issue an executive order allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings except in medical transport, public transport, and healthcare facilities including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, and dialysis clinics.
READ ALSO: Frasco Says PH To Make Indoor Face Mask Use “Voluntary”
Vergeire said that the executive order for the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings will be issued “in the coming days”.
“The executive order as agreed on during our recent Cabinet meeting will be issued soon. That was a commitment by the President because he approved the proposal during the time that we had the Cabinet meeting,” Vergeire said. “We are not certain as to when it is going to come out but I think it’s going to come out in the coming days.”
Thank you for visiting Newspapers.ph. You may express your reactions or thoughts in the comments section. Also, you may follow us on Facebook as well.
