The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will now allow the optional wearing of face masks against COVID-19 in the workplace, even in indoor settings, this after the department issued rules related to it.
In their Labor Advisory 22, Wednesday, DOLE clarified the guidelines regarding the “voluntary wearing of masks in workplaces.” This follows Executive Order 7 signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“This Advisory shall cover all workers and workplaces in the private sector,” said the document signed by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Wednesday.
“The wearing of face masks in workplaces shall be voluntary.”
Despite this, all workers and employees are still obligated to wear face masks within:
- healthcare facilities (clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, dialysis clinics)
- medical transport vehicles such as ambulances and paramedic rescue vehicles
- public transportation
Vulnerable sectors are still encouraged to wear face masks:
- senior
- immunocompromised
- not vaccinated against COVID-19
- have symptoms of COVID-19
- those with comorbidities
- pregnant
DOLE approves voluntary face masks in the private sector
Employers and their staff can also implement a policy mandating face masks, especially considering the risk in enclosed spaces and poor ventilation. Industry requirements such as food safety and if there is a case of infectious diseases such as flu and tuberculosis can also be a reason.
“Employers and their workers have a shared responsibility to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, Republic Act No. 11059, and minimum public health standards,” DOLE added.
It was only November 1st when the Department of Education announced that the wearing of face masks in schools would be made voluntary even in indoor facilities, something that the Department of Health did not oppose.
This is even though students under the age of 4 cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19. All this is happening now that the more infectious Omicron XBB subvariant and XBC variant have entered the Philippines.
As of 2020, 4 million people have been infected with COVID-19 in the Philippines. Of that number, 64,145 people have died.
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