Face shields required for all passengers

Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy

Passengers using any mode of public transportation will be required to wear face shields, aside from masks, effective 15 August to reduce the risk of transmitting the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a memorandum circular released on 4 August, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has ordered all officials and heads of its various transportation sectors to implement, within their respective jurisdictions, the mandatory wearing of face shields for all passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed.

The directive applies to all public transportation — including the Aviation and Airports, Railways, Road and Maritime sectors — throughout the country.

Transportation chief Arthur Tugade yesterday reiterated the order should not be viewed by the commuting public as “another burden.”

“Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy. What we are addressing is not a transport issue but rather a health issue,” Tugade said.

The DoTr underscored the face shields should sufficiently cover the whole face as it was meant as a redundancy of the protection of the mask.

Health authorities have recently pointed out the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably.

Meanwhile, stringent preventive measures are still in effect to contain the spread of COVID-19 in all public transport facilities.

These include the mandatory wearing of masks, strict enforcement of the social distancing measure, and handwashing or hand sanitizing. Talking and using mobile phones are likewise discouraged inside all public transportation.