E. Samar gov warns public on optional use of masks: COVID-19 still lurks

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone has cautioned people about the move to make wearing face masks optional.

The governor believed the mandatory wearing of masks should remain, considering that COVID-19 still threatens people’s health.

“I welcome it [recommendation of making the wearing of masks optional] with caution because there are so many people who have not yet received their booster shots, not to mention those who remain unvaccinated,” Evardone said in a statement.

“We should not let our guard down because COVID-19 is very much alive and dangerous,” he added.

Eastern Samar has 12 active COVID-19 cases, ranked third in Eastern Visayas after Leyte with 131 and Samar with 23.

Out of 363,453 people, only 305,209 were immunized. Currently, 5,192 booster shots have been given.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases recently recommended wearing face masks optional in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor settings.

The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas said the recommendation of the national pandemic task force to make wearing face masks optional indicates that it is still one of the best defenses against COVID-19.

“The policy for wearing of masks indoors remains the same, and should continue to be strictly implemented by all private establishments and government offices,” said Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino, the health regional director.

She said the optional use of masks could only happen if the target number of individuals who received booster shots is met.

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JPV/abc