MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is extending a state of calamity declared by his predecessor more than two years ago to address lingering concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, an official said on Monday.
Press officer Trixie Cruz-Angeles also said a previously announced plan to lift the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors will take effect immediately across the country, except in crowded areas where people cannot observe social distancing.
The Philippines and Myanmar were the last two countries in Southeast Asia that still required the wearing of masks outdoors, Philippine officials said.
They said they would assess whether indoor mask requirements can be lifted towards the end of the year in areas where increased numbers of people are receiving coronavirus booster shots.
Previous President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Philippines in a state of calamity in March 2020 due to the coronavirus, then extended it to allow emergency funds to be disbursed quickly.
Cruz-Angeles told a news conference that the calamity state, which was set to expire on Monday, could be extended for about three months, primarily to allow for emergency purchases and provide hazard allowances to workers at health.
The Philippines, among the hardest hit by the coronavirus in Southeast Asia, imposed one of the longest lockdowns in the world, which caused its worst economic recession in decades and deepened poverty, hunger and unemployment.
Press officer Trixie Cruz-Angeles also said a previously announced plan to lift the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors will take effect immediately across the country, except in crowded areas where people cannot observe social distancing.
The Philippines and Myanmar were the last two countries in Southeast Asia that still required the wearing of masks outdoors, Philippine officials said.
They said they would assess whether indoor mask requirements can be lifted towards the end of the year in areas where increased numbers of people are receiving coronavirus booster shots.
Previous President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Philippines in a state of calamity in March 2020 due to the coronavirus, then extended it to allow emergency funds to be disbursed quickly.
Cruz-Angeles told a news conference that the calamity state, which was set to expire on Monday, could be extended for about three months, primarily to allow for emergency purchases and provide hazard allowances to workers at health.
The Philippines, among the hardest hit by the coronavirus in Southeast Asia, imposed one of the longest lockdowns in the world, which caused its worst economic recession in decades and deepened poverty, hunger and unemployment.
