MANILA, Philippines — The military has made compulsory the wearing of face masks at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s main headquarters located in Quezon City.
As novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continue to rise, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. issued a directive requiring the use of face masks at Camp Aguinaldo, said AFP public affairs office chief Capt. Jonathan Zata in a statement Wednesday.
Santos himself tested positive for COVID-19 last week. He is currently asymptomatic and is under isolation in Camp Aguinaldo.
Under memorandum published on March 31, all military and civilian personnel should wear face masks at all times, whether inside or outside their offices to prevent and control the spread of the deadly disease inside the AFP General Headquarters.
“This is part of the AFP’s measures in protecting its members not only in the frontlines but also those who are still performing administrative duties inside camps,” he said.
A “no face mask, no entry” policy will strictly be enforced at Camp Aguinaldo starting Thursday, April 2.
Zata said other military camps nationwide are also expected to replicate the initiative.
After Santos contracted the disease, other officers and personnel at Camp Aguinaldo who had been exposed to the military chief have also placed themselves on quarantine as a precaution.
“The measure being implemented seeks to avert an individual especially both symptomatic and asymptomatic, from spreading saliva droplets into the air or on any surface,” Zata said.