EXTENSION of the mandatory face mask mandate has been pushed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the country records an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“Well, kung ako tatanungin mo [if you ask me], I will recommend that it should be extended because there’s already an increasing number of cases,” Duque said in an interview on CNN Philippines.
Duque said aside from COVID-19, face masks can help prevent other illnesses such as influenza, bacterial pneumonia, monkeypox, and asthma.
“So dapat ipagpatuloy na lang dahil maraming value add naman ang masking. Hindi lang laban sa COVID-19. Maraming laban sa influenza, bacterial pneumonia, ang dami pang mga sakit,” he said.
Despite the increase in COVID-19 cases in the past few days, the country remains at low-risk classification with an average daily attack rate of less than 1 per 100,000 population, the Department of Health earlier said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said that the mandatory wearing of face masks will not be lifted until the end of his term on June 30.
