THE UNIVERSITY has made the use of face masks optional in open and non-crowded spaces in the campus, following Malacañang’s easing of the pandemic safety protocol.
On Sept. 12, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order no. 3, making the wearing of face masks voluntary outdoors.
The Palace order prompted Secretary-General Fr. Louie R. Coronel to release a memorandum updating the University’s health and safety protocols.
“[The] wearing of face mask may be optional in non-crowded outdoor venues where good ventilation and physical distancing are consistently observed,” Coronel said in the memorandum dated Sept. 13.
Individuals who are unvaccinated and those with comorbidities are “strongly advised” to wear their face masks even in outdoor venues. Face masks are still required to be worn indoors, and can only be removed when eating in designated areas.
Coronel said that there is a “shared responsibility” for every one to keep oneself and others “safe from infection.”
“We strongly encourage the Thomasian community to constantly evaluate the health risks in every situation and exercise judgment on the most appropriate mitigating measures to take,” the Secretary-General said.
In a memorandum dated Aug. 31, the University said it would be allowing both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons to participate in face-to-face classes.
However, students and staff are still encouraged to be fully vaccinated. F – Aubrey Shane Lim
