But Benitez’s Executive Order (EO) No. 33 stated that the face masks shall continue to be worn in indoor private and public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
He said individuals who are not fully vaccinated, senior citizens and immuno-compromised, are still highly encouraged to wear their masks, and to observe physical distancing at all times.
Benitez added that the wearing of face masks at hospital and other facilities, laboratories, quarantine facilities and the likes, shall be mandatory.
On Friday last week, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also ordered that face mask use outdoors is no longer compulsory in the province.*