Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia Issues Executive Order Making Face Mask Policy Optional Outdoors
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia ordered the lifting of the mandatory face mask policy outdoors citing the improvement in the situation in the province.
It has been more than two years now since the COVID-19 pandemic started across the globe. It cost millions of lives, shut down small and big businesses, pulled the economies of several nations down, and urged the people to live under the “new normal” setting.
In most countries hit hard by the pandemic, the wearing of face mask most especially in public places became mandatory. The Philippines is one of the nations implementing the face mask protocol in the pursuit to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, beginning the last weeks of the 1st quarter of 2022, the COVID-19 cases in the country dropped. Most of the areas including Metro Manila are under Alert Level 1, the loosest quarantine measure.
Recently, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia made a decision regarding the mandatory face mask policy. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Governor issued an executive order lifting the mandatory face mask policy in open spaces and well-ventilated areas in the province.
In her Executive Order 16, Garcia said that the wearing of face mask will only be mandatory in close and air-conditioned areas. It is now optional in well-ventilated and open spaces. However, according to the report, those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 like runny nose, cough, and fever are required to wear a face mask outside of their residences.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia cited the easing situation of COVID-19 in the province as the reason behind the lifting of the mandatory use of face mask outdoors. She also cited the situations in other countries like Singapore that made the face mask protocol optional.
Thank you for visiting Philnews.ph. You may express your thoughts and reactions below through the comment section. You may also follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel Philnews Ph.
READ PREVIOUS ARTICLE: Duterte Speaks on Face Mask Protocol in PH