Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the wearing of face shield inside enclosed spaces such as malls and other establishments is now required.
“Napagkasunduan po ng National Task Force (NTF) na bukod po roon sa pagsusuot ng face shield sa pampublikong sasakyan saka sa trabaho, dapat isuot na rin ang face shield sa mga nakasaradong commercial establishment, gaya ng mga malls,” Roque said in an interview on state-run PTV-4.
(The National Task Force (NTF) has agreed that in addition to wearing face shield in public transport and work, face shield should also be worn in closed commercial establishments, such as malls.)
Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier announced all passengers traveling through public transport are required to wear face shields starting August 15, 2020.
The mandatory wearing of face shields is on top of other health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
Wearing a face shield is also required during sea travel starting 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.
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Wearing of face shield inside malls now required
Two weeks ago, 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 DOTr.
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.
Health experts noted that the use of face masks plus face shield transmission and exposure to the respiratory droplets.