It’s mask off in ‘open, outdoor’ spaces in Cebu

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia | PHOTO: Gov. Gwen Garcia facebook page

CEBU CITY—The Cebu provincial government has lifted the mandatory wearing of face masks in open and outdoor spaces, with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia saying this was a “necessary step toward the ‘new normal’” in the province.

Garcia’s Executive Order No. 16, issued on Wednesday, “rationalizes” the wearing of face masks in the province.

“The wearing of face masks shall be required only in closed and/or air-conditioned spaces. The use of face masks shall be optional in well-ventilated and open spaces,” the governor said.

But those who are sick and have symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, runny nose and fever, would have to wear face masks when leaving their homes.

“Other countries, including Singapore, have already directed the wearing of masks and other personal protective equipment be optional in outdoor settings due to the global improvement of COVID-19 situation,” Garcia said.

The governor also cited Section 16 of the Local Government Code, giving local governments power in the promotion of the general welfare of its constituents.

Cebu province remains under COVID-19 alert level 2 until June 15.

Sea ambulance

Meanwhile, Bantayan Island in northern Cebu received a sea ambulance from the Department of Health (DOH) so patients needing immediate medical assistance could be transported to mainland Cebu.

The sea ambulance was among five vessels that the DOH donated to local governments in Central Visayas.

“For the longest time, we have dreamed of this sea ambulance and now we already have it. We can use it when there are emergencies in the islet barangays,” said Bantayan Mayor Arthur Despi.

The island municipality of Bantayan has 25 barangays, six of which are islets. These are Botigues, Doong, Hilotongan, Lipayran, Luyongbaybay and Sulangan.

Early this year, the DOH also gave a sea ambulance to Santa Fe town.

Each ambulance is equipped with a stretcher, automatic external defibrillator, portal suction machine, nebulizer, aneroid sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, oxygen cylinder and examining light, among others.