THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said it will wait for the guidelines that may be released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) with regard to Mayor Michael Rama’s executive order that made the wearing of face mask “non-obligatory” in areas within its jurisdiction.Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy city director for operation of the CCPO, said that as of now, they will continue to encourage the public to wear face mask every time they go outside their residences.She said the CCPO supports Rama’s directive, stressing that it will also help the city recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the public should still not let their guard down.She said the immunocompromised individuals still need to observe the minimum public health protocols to keep themselves safe from the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).“For the PNP, we still have to wait sa specific guidelines from the higher ups but still, we are encouraging people to wear mask especially for those immunocompromised patients and those who are showing flu like symptoms,” Rafter said.She stressed that wearing face mask is important as it helps protect the public from the coronavirus and other diseases.Rafter said they will not arrest people who will be caught not wearing a face mask, but they will be reminded of the health protocols.Rama signed on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Executive Order 5, declaring the wearing of masks within Cebu City’s territorial jurisdiction “non-obligatory” whether in open spaces or not.Under EO 5, private establishments have the discretion to allow individuals not to wear masks inside their premises.The management of businesses and establishments is mandated to craft a reasonable policy on the wearing of masks.Rama also said that when riding a public utility vehicle, mask wearing is at the discretion of the drivers and operators of the vehicles.In schools, Rama said the decision to drop the wearing of masks is up to the Department of Education and the parents of the students. (AYB/LMY/SunStar Cebu)