The wearing of face masks is now mandatory in public areas (see Face Masks: Mandatory to be Worn when Going Outside the House), per Resolution No. 18 dated 1 April 2020 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). To reinforce the mandatory nature of wearing face masks, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also directed all Local Government Units (LGUs) to:
- 1. Strictly implement the mandatory wearing of face masks by all residents in public areas, whenever they are allowed to go out of their homes, at all times. LGUs shall issue local ordinances, executive orders or advisories on the mandatory wearing of face masks, to include imposition of sanctions to non-compliant residents as may be appropriate. Due to the prevailing shortage of face mask supplies, wearing of improvised masks and other protective equipment, such as indigenous, reusable, homemade or do-it-yourself masks, face shields and handkerchiefs, that can reduce risks of local transmission of the virus shall be allowed.
- 2. Encourage their respective communities to ensure the supply of face masks or other protective equipment by preparing/devising their indigenous, reusable, homemade or do-it-yourself masks and face shields.
- 3. Conduct regular monitoring and ensure compliance of the public to the mandatory wearing of face masks for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.
Considering that there are confirmed positive cases in all regions nationwide, LGUs outside the ECQ areas are also encouraged to implement the above-stated measures to prevent further local transmission.
[Per DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-071 dated 9 April 2020, addressed to all Provincial Governors, City and Municipal Mayors, Punong Barangays, members of the Sanggunian, DILG Regional Directors and officers, BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government, and all others concerned.]
