DILG: Wear mask at home if unsure you are 100% free of COVID-19

The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday insisted on its advice to the public to wear face masks at home amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

In an interview with "Dobol B TV" on Sunday, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said that people who may have failed to properly observe minimum health protocols when going outside should consider wearing face masks at home to prevent other members of the family from getting COVID-19 infection.

"Kung galing ka sa labas at medyo meron kang agam-agam dahil alam mong hindi ka sumunod sa mga protocol at pag-uwi mo sa bahay, meron kang kasama may co-morbidity, may mga anak kang maliliit, better to be safe than sorry," he said.

"Mag-face mask ka muna, bantayan mo ang sarili mo and wait for symptoms. Kung hindi ka 100% sure na COVID-free ka, mag-face ka muna sa bahay," he said.

[Wear face mask, take care of your health and wait for symptoms. If you're not sure the your are 100% COVID-19 free, the wear mask at home].

Malaya noted that apart from the DILG, the Department of Health is also encouraging the public to wear face masks at home.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea de Guzman earlier said wearing face masks at home will help cut the chain of transmission.

She underscored that wearing of face masks at home is important especially in a house with family members who are elderly or suffering medical conditions.

Also, the DOH came out with an advisory to the public on Saturday encouraging the public to wear their masks properly "at all times and in all settings,  even at home when living with other persons, especially the vulnerable."

On Saturday, the Philippines reported 7,999 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily count recorded since the pandemic began.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country as of Saturday was 656,056. Of this number, 562,484 recovered; 80,642 are active; and 12,930 died. —LBG, GMA News