Iloilo province is now under the new normal with the optional wearing of face masks when outdoors.
The optional mask use is mandated in Section 2 of Executive Order 260-G signed by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on September 7, which also extended the province’s Alert Level 1 status until September 15.
Defensor, in a press conference on Friday, said the national government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, has already made a pronouncement about the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces.
He also cited as the basis for allowing the optional use of face masks the low cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), low hospital utilization rate, and the high accomplishment of vaccination.
“Vaccination is very important. That is the reason why we are aggressive with our vaccination and booster so we can open up already, we can change our behavioral adjustment. That is why it is optional,” Defensor said.
Available data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office showed that the province has an average of 23 cases per day from August 29 to September 4.
As of September 4, the province had 1,164 active cases with no severe and critical patients.
For vaccination, the province has reported an 87.64 percent rate for its primary series, or 1,281,057 of the 1,461,756 eligible population as of September 8.
Furthermore, 259,113 received their first booster dose, and 14,259, their second booster shot.
Defensor said after more than two years of being in the pandemic, the public knows when to add protection.
“Let us make the adjustment towards a new normal. We are there, we are in the new normal. We should also reap the benefits of the vaccination,” he added.
The order also stated that the wearing of well-fitted face masks is still mandatory indoors, whether in private or public establishments, including public transportation by land, air, or sea except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and when practicing outdoor sports or activities where physical distance can be maintained.
Source: Philippines News Agency