Department of Transportation (DOTr) said all passengers traveling through public transport are required to wear face shields starting August 15, 2020.
DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr., in a memorandum dated August 3, ordered all transportation sector officials to implement the policy in areas where public transport is permitted.
The mandatory wearing of face shields is on top of other health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
“As instructed by the Secretary, this is to mandate all officials/heads of various transportation sectors to enjoin within their respective jurisdictions the mandatory wearing of face shields (aside from face masks) for ALL passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed, effective on 15 August 2020,” the memorandum reads.
Face shield required in sea travel
Wearing a face shield is also required during sea travel starting Friday, August 7.
Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., the assistant secretary for Maritime, directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Ports Authority, Cebu Port Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard to implement the “No-Face-Shield, No-RIde” to implement the same policy.
“In this regard, all concerned are tasked to issue the necessary announcements to properly inform the riding public,” Vingson said in the memorandum.
Also read: Back-riding in MECQ allowed if passenger is essential worker
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said in a taped briefing that wearing face shields would be one of the minimum health standards that would be imposed as part of “conditionalities” in maintaining Metro Manila and Calabarzon under general community quarantine.
“Ito ang hugas kamay, suot ng mask, at social distancing. At pagsuot na rin po ng face shield,” Roque said.
(The new minimum health standard is washing of hands, wearing of face masks, social distancing, and the wearing of face shield.)
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) resolution, meanwhile, did not include wearing a face shield for Metro Manila and Calabarzon. Roque then clarified he just “recommended” the measure.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also said wearing face shields is not yet required, but the IATF guidelines may soon mandate it.
Lopez said using face shields on top of face masks will increase protection from the virus for up to over 90 percent since the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets.