Mask rule remains in indoor areas, public transport, DILG tells local gov’t

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday urged local governments to firmly enforce the law requiring mask use in enclosed spaces and on public transit.

The use of face masks in outdoor settings is now voluntary, according to Executive Order (EO) No. 3 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to a statement from Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.

“The Department is 100 percent behind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the implementation of EO 3 on voluntary face mask use outdoors. But while the face mask policy has been made optional in the outdoors, the use of face masks in indoor public and private establishments and in public conveyances shall continue to be enforced, especially now that cases are on the uptick,” he added.

Abalos said that local government units (LGUs) should take the initiative to ensure that the public complies with the indoor and public transportation face mask requirement in their respective regions.

The head of DILG continued by saying that he has also instructed the PNP to assist LGUs in ensuring that the public observes the face mask requirement for indoor and public transportation.

“LGUs and the PNP should coordinate closely in ensuring that the public continues to wear face masks indoors and in public transportation. We are still in the middle of the pandemic and we cannot let our guards down,” he said.

However, Abalos emphasized that physical distance must always be maintained and that high-risk patients, such as the elderly, sick, and those who are not completely immunized, are still highly recommended to wear masks.