The wearing of face masks, or other similar protective equipment, is now mandatory for people, who will be going out of their homes in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) made the decision to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
But due to the prevailing shortage in the supply of face masks, the IATF spokesman said people could also use alternative protective wear such as earloop masks, indigenous, reusable or do-it-yourself masks, face shields, and handkerchiefs.
“Allow me to stress that if we need to leave our homes, we need to wear masks. Even an improvised mask, or handkerchief, will do, as long as you have something to cover your mouth and nose,” Nograles said during a news briefing on Tuesday.
A person can get infected with Covid-19 if he or she is exposed to droplets and fomites usually coming from the cough of those who are already infected by the virus.
Nograles said concerned local government units (LGUs) were allowed by the IATF “to issue the necessary executive order, or ordinance, to implement the requirement and impose penalties for its violation.
To further help minimize the exposure of people from Covid-19, he said, the IATF also strongly encourage “supermarkets, public and private wet markets, grocery stores, agri-fishery supply stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and other retail establishments engaged in the business of selling basic necessities to extend their store operations to a maximum of 12 hours.
He said the IATF came up with the measure upon observing people tend to crowd the said establishments if these will have shorter operation hours.
The IATF also reminded LGUs strict social distancing measure in the said establishments.
“By now all of us are aware of the gravity of the threat before us. Covid-19 is not an ordinary illness so the government is now doing everything to stop the spread of the virus,” Nograles said.
As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country has already reach 2,311. It is expected to increase further as government improves its testing capacities for the said illness.