END IN SIGHT | A pedestrian tinkers with her mobile phone in front of a mural of people wearing a mask in Libis, Quezon City on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Health authorities appealed for caution amid the eagerness of the business and transportation sectors to relax the rules on social distancing and with the government set to further ease the mask mandate.
Saying the population remains vulnerable to new and more infectious subvariants of the COVID-19 virus, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases said students, for one, should continue wearing masks in classrooms as the full implementation of in-person classes begins next week.
“Kids have nothing to lose if they continue to wear masks, especially in school settings,” Dr. Anna Ong-Lim said during an online forum held by the Department of Health on Wednesday.
Wearing masks should no longer be “difficult” at this point since “we have learned enough in the past two years to realize that masking is very valuable. So let’s continue to use all the layers that we have at our disposal,” Ong-Lim said.
Lingering doubts
Another infectious disease specialist, Dr. Rontgene Solante, said making masking voluntary indoors would still pose a “risk” and could lead to spikes in cases, also due to the emergence of new subvariants.
“We really have doubts about it, especially now that the XBB and XBC variants are already here and then you make the face mask optional indoors. Then there will be really a risk,” he said.
He was referring to Tuesday’s announcement that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would soon issue an executive order (EO) making masking voluntary indoors, except in medical facilities and public transportation.
“It might cause increases, but I hope it will not overwhelm our health-care utilization also,” he added.
But the upcoming EO, he said, may be considered good if “we want to again empower the people to decide on what is best for them; it will put more responsibility on them to determine what risk [they are facing].’’
Drop social distancing
DOH epidemiology bureau director Alethea De Guzman maintained that face masks remain an effective tool against infections. “With the removal of another layer of protection… it is crucial that we monitor the effect [of this policy shift] not only on the cases but also on admissions,” she said.
Also on Wednesday, the head of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the government should now also consider relaxing the rules on social distancing.
“The reality is that it’s hardly being practiced. If you look at the commuters—those who are in line or the busway, those in jeepneys—there is no more social distancing,” PCCI president George Barcelon told the Inquirer.
“Even during the last two Christmases, in tiangge (bazaars) people are standing shoulder-to-shoulder,” he said, adding that people have learned to take responsibility over their own protection.
Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion agreed it was time for the government to let individual businesses decide on their social distancing protocols.
“Let’s just move forward. I am glad that President Marcos is open to these ideas,” said Concepcion. The country, he said, should focus on ensuring mobility and helping the economy recover through increased consumer spending.
Vigilance
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus allayed concerns over the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, saying one of the lessons taught by the pandemic is the need for adequate testing and preparation.
Ghebreyesus, who is in Manila for the WHO-Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting this week, made the remarks during a meeting with President Marcos in Malacañang on Tuesday.