(SPOT.ph) With the news these days largely revolving around the cars on the road, the return of face-to-face classes, and restaurant openings, it's been evident for quite some time now that public spaces are once again thriving and the long-discussed "new normal" is here. While your bosses may have been quick to dismiss the work-from-home set-up, other staples of the quarantine period have not gone away so easily. The constant need to disinfect one's hands is definitely a habit to stay, as is filling up a contact tracing form upon entering establishments (even if it has led to an onslaught of spam messages).
The legally required wearing of face masks in outdoor settings was the staple of the lockdowns that we thought would never go away. It's been pleasant, even, having fewer sick days caused by allergies or the flu. Yet, with COVID-19 still literally in the air and the threat of Monkeypox looming over us, face masks might start becoming a figment of the past, sooner than expected.
Malacañang has announced in a press briefing that they're eyeing to pilot-test the lifting of the mandatory face mask requirement in outdoor spaces by Q4 of 2022. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles stated that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has recommended lifting the mask mandate and making mask-wearing outdoors "voluntary across the country." An executive order on the matter is expected to arrive soon.
Also read: Why Face Masks are Still Essential After the Pandemic
Should face masks still be mandatory when headed outdoors? The IATF weighs in:
Per the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases' (IATF) recommendation, mask-wearing will become "optional in open spaces or noncrowded outdoor areas with good ventilation," Angeles confirmed. However, senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals will still be "highly encouraged" to continue the use of face masks, even in these areas.
Now, before you go jumping the gun and heading out to your local al fresco dining spot already without a mask, let's break down what these specific "open spaces" could be. Obviously, public parks, running tracks, and outdoor strips such as Bonifacio High Street in BGC would fall under the spaces allowed in the liberalized mandate, as they aren't likely to get crowded to the point where social distancing is practically impossible.
However, playgrounds in these parks are at notably higher risk, as children coming from different places could converge at these spots with minimal physical distance implementation. Public transportation (and yes, including the long lines leading up to catching a ride) will definitely be an area where masks are implemented. Similarly, large gatherings and crowds at concerts, shows, and rallies will also most likely retain the mask-wearing implementation, regardless if the area is outdoors or has proper ventilation.
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Which countries have lifted mandatory face mask requirements in outdoor settings?
Mandates for the outdoor wearing of face masks have been lifted in a whole myriad of countries around the globe, such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain, all with different specifications for which enclosed areas masks are required. Among the countries that comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, it's only the Philippines and Myanmar that have yet to even partially introduce liberties in the mask mandate.
Cambodia, which has a higher number of cases per 100 thousand people than the Philippines, has had the wearing of masks be voluntary since April 25th of this year. Malaysia requires masks to be worn indoors and Vietnam requires masks to be worn in crowded public spaces. Both countries mandate that masks be worn in public transportation.
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Here's what the experts have to say...
According to Inquirer, Department of Health officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that parents should still make sure that their children attend school with face masks and that those with COVID symptoms should wear masks, even when headed to noncrowded outdoor areas.
Vergeire echoed what other health experts had to say about the pandemic reaching its "endemic" phase, saying:
"Since we have been seeing less and less of the deaths and less of the severe and critical [cases], and we see people are highly mobile these past months, we are seeing that the acceptability of this kind of situation is there already."
However, masks are not the end-all, be-all of the fight against the virus, as Vergeire pointed out five other ways to protect oneself: hand-washing, physical distancing, avoiding crowds, proper ventilation, and seeking out vaccination and boosters.
Phasing out the need for masks with these other "layers of protection" may prove beneficial in the long run, however, it'll greatly depend on proper and respectful compliance during the testing period later this year.
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