By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has released an executive order (EO) on guidelines for the voluntary wearing of face masks in the province, but with several exceptions.

Based on EO No. 23-15 released yesterday morning, Lacson is encouraging the elderly, individuals with comorbidities and immunocompromised, pregnant women, unvaccinated individuals, and symptomatic individuals to wear face masks either indoors or outdoors.

“For the unvaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19,” Lacson said.

Wearing of face masks will be mandatory in healthcare facilities (including clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, and dialysis clinics), enclosed areas and public transportation, whether by land, air or sea (except for non-airconditioned public transportation vehicles).

Minimum public health standards will still be implemented.

In response to the lifting of the COVID-19 health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday, May 7, Lacson said in a text message that this is a positive development.

“Just the same, [it] can be treated as an endemic, still present in our country. Use of face mask is beneficial,” he said.

An uptick in COVID-19 cases was reported throughout the country with Negros Occidental recording 17 new cases over the weekend, which brought to a total of 91 active cases.

However, the executive order remains the same and vigilance is prudent.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health will convene with the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases to discuss and reevaluate policies and guidelines in relation to the WHO’s declaration./DGB, WDJ