The Department of Health (DOH) is now investigating the possibility of not mandating the wearing of face masks on those who have completed the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that it is being done in the United States in indoor settings.
“Ang ginagawa natin, tayo po ay nag-aaral na nitong sinasabing rekomendasyon na ito para makita natin if we can also apply this in specific bubbles. Pag-aaralan ho ito ng ating mga experto together with the IATF at magbibigay po tayo ng impormasyon,” said Vergeire in a briefing on Friday.
“Meron ho tayong mga kinukunsidera para tayo ay makapag-lift ng mga ganitong restrictions… Halimbawa po, magtatanggal tayo ng mga mask sa mga nabakunahan na sa NCR for example, kailangan natin tignan ano na nga ba ang estado ng mga kaso dito sa NCR. Ang healthcare utilization rate po ba ay nakakaluwag-luwag na tayo?”
It is also necessary to see if people are really following the minimum health protocols today, even though many have been vaccinated.
DOH studies if fully vaccinated Filipinos may not wear face mask
However, the DOH official stressed that it is not only the vaccine against COVID-19 that should be used as the basis for not wearing face masks: it should also consider the number of cases and healthcare utilization.
It was May 13, 2021, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their recommendation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even though they have not yet reached herd immunity.
“Today, CDC is updating our guidance for fully vaccinated people,” said CDC director Rochelle Walensky.
“Anyone who is fully vaccinated, can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
However, all those who have been vaccinated and feel the symptoms of COVID-19 again should wear a facemask and get tested again.
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