Mandatory wearing of face masks inside Manila churches lifted

The mandatory requirement of wearing a protective face mask inside Archdiocese of Manila churches implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic has now been lifted.

But according to a Balitanghali report on Friday, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula still continues to encourage priests and laymen to wash their hands or apply alcohol during church activities.

Advincula likewise encouraged the putting of alcohol dispensers inside churches.

The report said devotees express mixed opinions on the matter as some find it more comfortable to go to church maskless, while some claim that they prefer masking to avoid getting sick.

The retraction of mandatory facemask protocols in Manila churches follows after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the COVID-19 state of public health emergency on July 22.

"All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect," read the President’s proclamation.

Proclamation No. 297 was made public through a statement from the Palace released on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

"All EUA (emergency use authorization) issued by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 121 (s. 2020) shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of lifting of the State of Public of Public Health Emergency for the sole purposes of exhausting the remaining vaccines," it added. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/RSJ, GMA Integrated News