Pinaalalahanan ng Department of Health (DOH) ang publiko nitong Martes na higit na magiging protektado ang bawat isa laban sa COVID-19 kung mas maraming iba’t ibang uri ng proteksiyon ang ipatutupad sa ating mga sarili.

Ang pahayag ay ginawa ng DOH kasunod ng ulat na plano na ng pamahalaan na gawing voluntary na lamang ang pagsusuot ng face mask sa indoors.

Kaugnay nito, sinabi rin ng DOH na hihintayin pa nila ang opisyal na patnubay ng Palasyo ng Malacañang hinggil dito.

“The DOH shall await the official guidance that will be issued by the Malacanang,” anito pa.

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“While the DOH has illustrated all potential scenarios to the IATF during discussions concerning masking mandates, the IATF is a collegial body that takes into consideration the concerns of all sectors,” dagdag pang DOH.

“In view of this, the DOH reminds the public that the more layers of protection we employ, the more protected we are against COVID-19. These include vaccination, masking, distancing, ventilation, and sanitation, as well as taking care of one's health,” anito pa.

Pahayag pa ng DOH, kahit na gawing voluntary na lamang ang pagsusuot ng face mask indoors ay maaari namang magdesisyon ang bawat isa para sa kanilang sarili.

Anang DOH, mahalagang i-assess ng bawat isa ang panganib na sila ay mahawa ng COVID-19 bago tuluyang magdesisyon kung ligtas ito at ito ba ang tamang gawin, partikular na ngayong gugunitain ang Undas at nalalapit na rin ang panahon ng Kapaskuhan.

“Moreover, the decision to ease masking empowers each and every one of us by giving us the choice to decide based on our personal context and risk appetite. With this freedom to choose, it is therefore important for us to assess our individual risk thoroughly before deciding if it is safe and wise to remove our masks, especially now that the Undas and Christmas seasons are approaching and we expect increased COVID-19 transmission brought about by greater mobility,” pahayag pa ng DOH.