LUCENA CITY: Citing a spike in influenza-like illnesses, Quezon Governor Angelina Tan has reinstated the mandatory wearing of face masks.
“Due to the increasing number of cases of illnesses such as colds, coughs, influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections like community-acquired pneumonia—and in accordance with Executive Order No. DHT-60—the wearing of face masks is hereby strictly mandated in all indoor settings, as well as in outdoor areas where physical distancing cannot be observed,” Tan, a medical doctor, said in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19.
EO No. DHT-60, issued on Dec. 27, 2023, requires face masks in all government and private offices, public spaces, hospitals, clinics, indoor settings and outdoor areas where physical distancing is not possible.
The governor did not provide current figures for influenza-like illness cases in the province.
When Tan suspended school classes from Oct. 16 to 17, she had already warned of rising respiratory illnesses at the government-run Quezon Medical Center (QMC) in this city.
Tan reported that QMC is operating at more than 200 per cent of its authorised bed capacity.
“In fact, there are no more available beds. Some beds are being occupied by two patients,” she said, adding that QMC and 14 other government hospitals across the province are struggling with limited resources.
Lucena City, the provincial capital and a highly urbanised city, is not covered by Tan’s mask mandate. However, Mayor Mark Alcala has followed the governor’s order, requiring residents to wear face masks for protection.
Alcala also suspended in-person classes at all levels in public and private schools from Oct. 20 to 22 “due to the rising cases of influenza virus.”
“Online classes will continue as scheduled,” Alcala said in a Facebook post. - Philippine Daily Inquirer
