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by pltm
(PLTM) - Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Marlon Penn, has announced that the wearing of face masks or face coverings, whether indoors or outdoors, will no longer be mandated by law, but will be allowed as a matter of choice in public spaces.
Hon. Penn in an announcement today, June 13, stated that the measure has been approved by Cabinet and takes effect from Wednesday, June 15.
"Even as this mask mandate is being lifted, any private establishment or service provider may institute its own policy on mask-wearing. The same will apply to the Public Sector, and the Deputy Governor will develop a policy in the areas where mask-wearing will still be required, such as in agencies providing health and social care, border protection services, and other front-facing departments where the risk of exposure is higher," Hon. Penn stated.
According to Hon. Penn, the Ministry of Health will also be ending all mandatory isolation of cases, quarantine of contacts of cases, and contact tracing. Further guidance for persons who may be COVID-19 positive or potentially exposed to COVID-19 will be issued this week.
Hon. Penn also advised strongly persons to continue wearing well-fitted masks or face coverings if they are positive for COVID-19; if they have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person; or whenever they are in a mass gathering; or in communal transportation.
Cabinet also stood down the Health Emergency Operations Centre, while noting that the Acting Chief Medical Officer will maintain overall responsibility for COVID-19 monitoring, planning, and reporting.
"We owe a collective debt of gratitude to the hardworking members of the HEOC team, including our recently retired CMO, Dr. Irad Potter, and the many professionals working behind the scenes. Their expertise, dedication, and professionalism have served this Territory with distinction. As we move from emergency mode to more sustainable management of COVID-19, and enjoy fewer restrictions on daily life, we must remain vigilant and prepared," Hon. Penn stated.
He said new variants can emerge and spread fast, and it may become necessary to reinstate certain measures that have been relaxed – the pandemic is not yet over.
"It is important for people to make informed choices about how to protect themselves, and I encourage everyone to take special care to safeguard seniors, chronically ill, and other vulnerable persons. Vaccines have proven to be very effective in reducing infection rates and severe disease, and they continue to be administered at designated healthcare facilities – thanks to donations from the United Kingdom government. I am urging those persons who haven't gotten vaccinated, to do so," Hon. Penn stated.
He added that with the phased relaxation of Public Health measures and legal restrictions, various sectors of the economy and society will continue to rebound as the Territory transitions further into the recovery phase of this pandemic.
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