Wearing of face masks in closed settings in Iloilo City is again mandatory as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases spike anew.
The Iloilo City Health Board issued a public advisory reiterating the Department of Health’s (DOH) policy on wearing face masks.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who chaired the health board, underscored the importance of face mask use in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
“Balik lang kita anay sa iya sang DOH nga protocol nga in closed places and in public transportation, mausar lang anay sang mask. Sundon ta lang na anay,” he said.
Based on DOH Memorandum No. 2022-0433, “Face masks shall continue to be worn for indoor private and public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.”
On the other hand, “voluntary wearing of well-fitted face masks is only allowed in open spaces and non-crowded areas with good ventilation.”
Those partially and unvaccinated and high-risk individuals are strongly encouraged to wear their masks and continue to observe three-meter physical distancing at all times.
As of April 18, the city has 35 active cases of COVID-19, according to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the City Health Office.
Since January this year, the city logged has 167 confirmed cases with two deaths.
While it has been observed that the COVID cases are rising, Treñas noted the city’s health care utilization rate (HCUR) remains low.
Meanwhile, the mayor said the city governmen will deploy personnel to ensure that establishments are strictly implementing the mandatory use of face masks.IMT
