NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — Even as the number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) declines, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Thursday that the country’s face mask mandate will stay in place.

In a radio interview, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the mandate is unlikely to be overturned anytime soon, particularly given the election season, when strict adherence to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) is required to avoid any surge.

Despite the fact that the Philippines has already recovered from the recent Omicron wave, Duque advises erring on the side of caution.

“Hindi ako naniniwala na malapit na ‘yong panahon (na mawawala na ‘yong mask) kasi lalo na mayroon tayong campaign rallies lalo pa natin dapat paigtingin ang pagsunod sa MPHS (I don’t believe we’re nearing the stage where we can already remove

“[M]aigi na lagi tayong nag-i-ingat, hindi baleng tayo magkamali kung’yong pagkakamali naman nasa panig nga pag-i-ingat, ok lang ‘yon. Because sa akin mas conservative ako, let us continue to use face masks because nakakatulong din naman to hindi lang (laban sa) Covid kundi sa pati sa influenza, TB, measles, and other airborne diseases. When it comes to this, I prefer to be cautious; let us continue to wear face masks to protect ourselves against influenza, TB, measles, and other airborne diseases) “Added he.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that the removal of required masks will only be conceivable if the disease becomes endemic and the number of cases in the country is manageable.

In a televised interview, she stated, “Our objective would be that the mask should be the last to go.”

“A lot of things are uncertain now, and one of the things that we are relying on as we shift to the new normal, which means easing of restrictions, is that people will imbibe that culture or practice where the mask will be part of our daily lives, vaccination will be there, and safety protocols will be there,” she added.

According to Vergeire, the administration is continuing to prepare the country as it gradually adjusts to the new normal.

Due to the decline in cases, many nations, particularly in Europe, have already abolished Covid-19 limitations, which include the requirement to wear face masks.

Unlikely

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, said the lifting of the face mask mandate before the end of the year is doubtful.

“There hasn’t been any talk about face masks in a long time. As of now, kaya ang sinasabi ko sa media na talagang ang last na tatanggalin natin siguro ‘yung mask kasi iyon ‘yung pinaka-defense po natin That’s why I’ve been telling the press that the mask is probably the last thing we’ll take off because it’s our best defense [against Covid]), “In an interview with DZBB’s Super Balita, Galvez stated.

The face mask requirement will stay in place until Covid-19 is “completely eliminated,” according to Galvez, who is also the country’s vaccine czar.

“Ang rekomendasyon po namin talaga ay hanggang hindi pa natatapos ang pandemya at saka talaga secured na po na talagang eliminated na ang Covid-19 ay hindi po natin matatangal yung ating face mask (Our recommendation is that we can’t remove our face masks until the pandemic ends and we’re sure that the Co

He stated that the government is still hopeful that the pandemic would be over by the end of the year.

Galvez urged people to avoid congested areas, particularly during election campaign events.

“Dapat maging self-aware tayo, dapat nandoon pa rin talaga yung pag-aalaga sa atin sarili,” he continued.

Galvez also proposed that politicians have their own health and safety marshals to ensure that public minimum health standards are adhered to throughout the campaign season.

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