Is the use of a face mask recommended?

Yes. Masks help suppress transmission and save lives. But the use of face masks alone is not sufficient in preventing the spread of the virus. Please be guided of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Dos and Don'ts when choosing a face mask:

Do choose masks that:

• Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric.
• Completely cover your nose and mouth.
• Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps.
• Have a nose wire to prevent the air from leaking out of the top of the mask.

Don't choose masks that:

• Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe like vinyl.
• Have exhalation valves or vents that allow virus particles to escape.
• Are prioritized for healthcare workers like N95 or surgical masks.

Mask wearing guide for children:

• Find masks made for children for a better fit.
• Ensure that the masks fit snugly over the nose and mouth and that there are no gaps on the top and sides.
• Do not put masks on children younger than 2 years old.

How to use cloth and disposable masks for better fit and added safety

• Wear two masks: an upper fabric mask and a lower disposable mask.
• Combine a fitter or brace with either a disposable or cloth mask.
• When the ear loops of a 3-ply mask connect to the edge, knot and tuck them there.
  • Fold and tuck the extra material under the edges of procedure masks that are disposable. (See the external icon at https://youtu.be/GzTAZDsNBe0 for instructions.)
• Use masks that are attached to the back of the head and neck with ties or elastic bands (instead of ear loops)

However, following the issuance of Executive Order No. 7 series of 2022, wearing face masks in outdoor and indoor spaces is no longer mandatory. Those who are not yet vaccinated, senior citizens, and immunocompromised, on the other hand, are still encouraged to wear facemasks at all times. 

Face masks must still be worn in:

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your guide to masks. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
• Executive Order No. 7 Allowing Voluntary Wearing of Face Masks in Indoor and Outdoor Settings, Reiterating the Continued Implementation of Minimum Public Health Standards During the State of Public Health Emergency Relative to the Covid-19 Pandemic. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2022/10/28/executive-order-no-7-s-2022/