THE DEPARTMENT of Health urged students and teachers to continue wearing face masks inside classrooms even if the Inter-Agency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases has recommended their voluntary use in open spaces.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Wednesday said the IATF’s recommendation is to make optional the wearing of face masks in open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, provided that the Covid19 booster uptake in the country improves.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, said schools were not covered by the recommendation since classes are held indoors.

“Not wearing masks indoors is not yet included in our policy,” Vergeire said.

She called on parents and guardians to ensure that their children will wear face masks in school to avoid the risk of Covid19 infection.

“Sana po ang ating mga magulang, magkaroon pa rin ng pag-assess ng risks dahil alam natin na ang ating mga kabataan, marami sa kanila ay hindi pa bakunado. Ipagsuot pa rin natin ng masks ang ating mga kabataan ‘pag papasok sa school,” she said.

“Kapag uuwi na lang kapag maglalaro, at maluwag naman ang lugar, walang tao, at saka na lang tayo magkaroon nitong optional wearing of mask,” she added.