What will 'new normal' look like? Full capacity at venues but face masks stay on

A passenger (C) sits inside a tricycle covered with a reminder to wear a mask, part of the Covid-19 health protocols, in Manila on February 16, 2022.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will not rush into the "new normal" — where there will be no restrictions on venue capacity but policies like wearing face masks will remain — the Department of Health said Thursday after doctors cautioned the government against easing pandemic restrictions too soon.

The country will enter the new normal once Alert Level 1—the lowest in the government’s five-tier alert system—is declared.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while it is understandable that doctors are worried about more COVID-19 infections,  the public will "have to move on and live with the virus."

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/17/2161463/what-will-new-normal-look-like-full-capacity-venues-face-masks-stay-on