Airline passengers also required to wear face shields

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced all airline passengers are also required to wear face shields during their travel starting August 15 following the orders of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

DOTr all who would be riding public transport are mandated to wear face shields after the government placed Metro Manila and nearby provinces under modified enhanced community quarantine.

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According to CAAP, international and local airlines in every international and domestic airport in the Philippines would impose the DOTr directive to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in all public vehicles and facilities.

All airline passengers need to wear a face mask upon arriving at the airport and wear face shields before boarding, CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said.

He added that apart from wearing face shield and mask, passengers also need to present their negative COVID-19 results or certification to airline staff at the counters.

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Health experts noted that the use of face masks plus face shield transmission and exposure to the respiratory droplets.

“Let us not think of this requirement of using face shield as an additional cost or inconvenience,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said, noting that no amount of protection is too much when fighting an invisible enemy.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB), and AirAsia have canceled their flights from Manila to other domestic destinations. However, their international flights continue to operate but with restrictions.

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Local airlines are implementing safety measures to keep their staff and passengers safe. It includes rapid antibody testing for frontliners and crew, daily extensive cleaning and disinfection protocols, and contactless flight procedures.

Also read: Commuters required to wear face shields starting August 15- DOTr

Meanwhile, an increase in the price of face shields in Divisoria was reported due to its high demand.

A salesman in Divisoria said that his supplier raised more than P10 per face shield.

The retail price of the face shield is P35 on Thursday, and it is expected to increase due to the continued inflation of demand.

According to some shoppers, it will be difficult for them to buy it because it is expensive. They said they would instead purchase rice than buy a face shield.

In other places in Manila, face shields range from P40 to P50 each.