The government's inter-agency task force on COVID-19 has recommended making the wearing of face masks outdoors optional, Malacañang said Wednesday.
In a resolution signed on Sept. 5, the IATF recommended relaxing the mask mandate in the country, which is still subject to a pilot test set for the last quarter of the year, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.
According to Angeles, wearing of face masks will be optional in open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation. Senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are still highly-encouraged to wear face masks.
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While the IATF has recommended the lifting of the mask mandate outdoors, Angeles pointed out that this is not the policy of the government yet.
"Kailangan i-improve natin yung statistics ng mga nagpa-booster na para by the end of the year, magpa-pilot test na ng ating lifting of mandatory mask mandate," she said.
A National Booster Week is scheduled on Sept. 26 to 29 to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
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