Face masks will remain mandatory in the Philippines despite the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases, the country's health chief said Thursday as other nations start to drastically ease pandemic restrictions.
In an interview on dzBB, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III mentioned that with the elections coming up on May 9, it might take some time before the Philippines even considers lifting the face mask mandate, "Hindi ako naniniwala na malapit na yung panahon [na hindi na magfe-face mask] kasi lalo na at mayroon tayong mga campaign rally. Dapat pa natin lalong paigtingin ang pagsunod sa ating mga minimum public health standards."
Face masks became mandatory in the Philippines in 2020--the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mas conservative ako, let's continue to wear face mask kasi nakakatulong naman ito sa ibang sakit din hindi lamang COVID," Duque said.
Following the surge in COVID-19 infections last month, Duque said the Philippines could now be considered at "low risk" for COVID-19, with only around 30% of hospital capacities used or around three in ten beds.
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