The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that they will uphold the current national policy permitting optional masking indoors and outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, which now extends to students and teachers in face-to-face classes.
DepEd spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa responded that they “would implement EO (Executive Order) 7” when asked what guidelines they would give schools on the use of face masks in the classroom.
“Schools may immediately implement optional masking indoors pursuant to EO 7,” Poa said.
He announced that a DepEd Order amendatory would be published shortly.
For the first time since March 2020, citizens are given a choice to choose not to wear their masks indoors due to Executive Order No. 7, which was signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
However, the order continues to advise wearing a face mask around the elderly, persons with comorbid conditions, people who are immunocompromised, people who are pregnant, people who are not yet immunized, and people who have COVID-19 symptoms.
Based on data from the Learner Information System, Poa revealed that just 19% of students were properly immunized against COVID-19 before the schools resumed regular sessions on August 22.
In the past, DepEd has acknowledged receiving reports of COVID-19 incidents in a number of schools. However, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte claimed that this was a normal outcome of the reopening of several sectors, such as education.
Optional wearing of face masks now allowed in schools – DepEd
Since the pandemic is still widespread in the nation, such instances are predicted, according to the Departments of Education and Health (DepEd and DOH).
Except for those granted waivers, all public schools must begin holding fully face-to-face sessions on Wednesday, November 2.
For the remainder of the academic year, private schools may instead continue to provide five-day in-person classes, a mixed learning format, or full-distance learning.
According to the then-national regulation, DepEd confirmed last month that students have the option of choosing not to wear face masks in outdoor settings.
Mandatory masking will continue to be used in the following places in accordance with EO 7:
- facilities for providing healthcare, such as clinics, hospitals, labs, nursing homes, and dialysis centers
- ambulances and paramedic rescue vehicles are examples of medical transport vehicles.
- public means of land, air, or water transportation.
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