DOH: Masks may lift by end-2022 if COVID becomes endemic

The Department of Health (DOH) and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. discussed the possibility of lifting the mandatory face mask policy by the end of 2022 if COVID-19 becomes endemic.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that masks may be lifted towards the end of the year if cases become manageable, but this would be the last intervention to be removed.

Galvez stated on Tuesday that it is 'most likely' face masks will be dropped in the fourth quarter, while reiterating on Thursday that the policy will remain until the pandemic ends.