TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista yesterday announced the lifting of the mandatory use of face masks and the observance of physical distancing in all public transport across the country after President Marcos Jr. canceled during the weekend the nationwide State of Public Health Emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The DOTr required the wearing of face masks in all public transportation involving the aviation and airports, railways, road, and maritime sectors in 2020 after former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922, which declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to the pandemic.
It likewise imposed strict physical distancing rules in all public transportation nationwide to prevent the spread of the virus.
“This new development (lifting of face mask use and physical distancing) is a significant step towards normalizing public transportation and supporting economic recovery,” Bautista said.
He added: “While public safety remains a top priority, the removal of protocols aims to facilitate commuters’ convenience, contribute to the revival of the transportation industry, and help stimulate economic activity.”
Despite the removal of existing COVID-19 protocols, Bautista assured the public that frequent sanitization of all public transportation will continue to be observed to prevent any potential health risks.
Last Friday, the President issued Proclamation No. 297 lifting the COVID-19 State of Public Health Emergency throughout the country after the Department of Health (DOH) said that the illness is now being treat by health professionals as a regular illness that is being constantly monitored by the department.
The proclamation read that “all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.”
It also stated that the emergency use authorization (EUA) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 121 (s. 2020) shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency for the sole purpose of exhausting the remaining vaccines.
In May, the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths throughout the world, the decline in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admission, and the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, in an interview with DzBB radio, urged the elderly and persons with vulnerabilities to continue wearing face masks in public even after the lifting of the nationwide state of public health emergency.
Solante said that while there had been low COVID-19 cases in the past two to three months, the coronavirus remains to be a threat and some areas continue to record a high number of cases.
Solante said the lifting of the public health emergency does not mean that the public should be complacent with health protocols.
“Baka akala nila (publiko) na [dahil] tinanggal na ang public health emergency, magtatanggalan na rin tayo ng face mask. Dun sa mga vulnerable population, sa high-risk areas, sana magsuot pa rin sila ng face mask para hindi sila magkasakit (The public might think that with the lifting of the public health emergency, this already means the removal of face masks. The vulnerable population, and those in high-risk areas must continue to wear face masks to avoid being sick),” he said.
Solante also said that the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) expressed support to the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 because the situation no longer constituted as an “emergency.”
“We fully concur with the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency. The current situation of COVID-19 globally does not constitute a public health emergency anymore for many reasons,” he added.
The infectious disease expert noted how there is continued decrease in COVID-19 cases in the country.
He also underscored that healthcare utilization is constantly low coupled with lesser number of mortality.
The PCP head also said that most countries have already achieved higher COVID-19 vaccination rate among targeted population and have high population immunity.
Solante added that the available antiviral treatment for COVID-19 continues to be effective in the prevention of severe cases among high-risk vulnerable population.
In its statement on Saturday, the DOH welcomed the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency in the country. — With Jocelyn Montemayor and Gerard Naval
