Chan told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, that he will issue an EO as soon as he receives a copy of Rama’s EO.
Last June 15, the mayor said he was “in favor” of making the wearing of face masks outdoors optional. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia had made the practice optional in the province on June 8.
Chan said he already consulted his health team, which is composed of Department of Health (DOH) 7 chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, who serves as the City’s health consultant; City Legal Officer James Sayson, who is deputy officer of the City’s Vaccination Operations Center; City Health Officer Dr. Agnes Cecile Realiza; and City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit nurse coordinator Grace Carungay, among others.
The mayor pointed out that Singapore no longer requires the wearing of face mask outdoors, but the island-nation strictly requires its use indoors.
Chan also said that some people have trouble breathing outdoors with a mask on due to the heat.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 30, the DOH 7 recorded 1,523 active coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Central Visayas.
Of that number, Cebu City had 518 cases, while Lapu-Lapu City recorded 68 cases.
SunStar Cebu tried to get DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas’ comment on the matter, to no avail. (MKG)