The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has encouraged its field personnel working outdoors to continue wearing their face masks amid the national government’s new masking policy.
MMDA Acting Chairman Carlo Dimayuga III said the continued wearing of face masks would protect field workers not only from Covid-19 but also from traffic-related air pollution.
“[W]ith regards to MMDA traffic enforcers on the field, I encourage them to still wear masks as prevention from pollution emitted by vehicles along major thoroughfares,” Dimayuga said.
“Traffic enforcers and street sweepers face the risk of acquiring respiratory illnesses in the performance of their duties. To protect their well-being, we highly encourage them to continue wearing face masks because their health is of utmost priority of the agency,” he added.
Dimayuga said he was supportive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 3, which made optional the wearing of face masks in open areas nationwide.
Mask-wearing remains required in indoor, private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where distancing cannot be observed.
Physical distancing and other public health standards will continue to be implemented. John Ezekiel J. Hirro