THE Philippines is now entering a new period of the pandemic with the government’s recent approval of the voluntary use of face masks outside or in open-air areas, according to the country’s entrepreneur czar.
“We are moving to a new phase, one where Filipinos can manage their own risks,” said Joey Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo.
On September 12, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) 3 allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, especially in open spaces and non-crowded places with good ventilation.
Such protective facial gears, however, must still be worn in indoor, public, or private establishments, including public transportation by land, air, or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Under the EO, which will be effective immediately, those who still have to complete their primary Covid-19 vaccination, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals remain “highly encouraged” to don face masks.
The strict implementation of minimum public health standards (MPHS), including physical distancing will also continue.
This policy, likewise, directs the Department of Health to update the MPHS guidelines.
Mitigation plans needed
WITH the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate, Concepcion emphasized the importance of ways to alleviate the impacts of the ensuing health crisis.
He said that this is the stage “where our approach now shifts to making sure we have mitigation strategies in place.”
These include stocking up on medicines against the fatal coronavirus, which he believes is a more practical move.
“We should ensure that we have enough supply of antiviral pills, especially Paxlovid, which are currently out of stock in the country. This will become crucial as people start moving around without masks outdoors,” he pointed out.
Concepcion reminded the public to always make sure that they remove their face masks only in outdoor settings and where there is good ventilation.
He advised them to keep wearing them in public transportation and health care facilities, and when around vulnerable members of the population, such as the elderly and young children.
For him, Filipinos know how to reduce their risk of catching Covid-19 given the result of a survey conducted earlier this year that showed their willingness to constantly don face masks for their protection and that of their families even if they are not required to do so.
Other strategies
PRIOR to the green light for the optional wearing of face masks, Concepcion had earlier recommended the continued observation of anti-Covid measures.
“We must be diligent in practicing common-sense health protocols like having good ventilation, physical distancing, and handwashing. I think we have had enough practice in the last two years to know how to keep ourselves from being infected,” he noted.
The number of Covid deaths in the country was relatively low in the last month compared to the same period in 2021, due mostly to the hybrid immunity or immunity from both vaccination and infection.
Even if scientists believe that natural immunity is more robust than vaccine immunity, they still think that getting vaccinated and boosted would be the best strategy in contracting the virus.
While inoculation remains a challenge nationwide, the Go Negosyo founder is supportive of the government’s vaccination efforts.
He cited, however, that mandating the people to get jabs may not be practical at this time as the focus has shifted to nursing the economy back to its healthy state.
Other mitigation strategies will also depend on whether the President follows through with his plan to extend the State of Public Health Emergency until end of this year.
“This will affect how the new vaccines will be purchased. If the manufacturers can secure Certificates of Product Registration for their vaccines and sell these through drug stores or we continue with an Emergency Use Authorization, all this must be cleared soon once the President makes his decision,” Concepcion stressed.
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