Face shields are now required in public transport starting August 15

As per the Department of Transportation (DOTr), passengers in all forms of public transportation are therefore required to wear face shields together with anti-virus masks. The said safety protocol is effective by August 15, next week, and is done in the interest of public health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. This ruling will be standard for all areas that are under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), while areas placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), will still bar public transportation from operating normally.

To start it all off, public transportation is allowed in areas under the GCQ.This serves as an additional safety measure among commuters given the continuous rise of positive COVID-19 cases. Its memo clearly states that heads of all transport sectors should enjoin within their respective divisions the mandatory wearing of face shields , aside from face masks, for all passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed. Though, there are no official words yet as to what penalties will meet the violators of this safety protocol.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade strongly believes that with this being implemented alongside with their existing health and safety protocols, there shall be a further reduction in transmitting the virus through public transport. Secretary Tugade also stressed that it’s not a transport issue they are addressing rather it’s a matter of health, that’s why he’s expecting full-cooperation among the citizens of our country. 

This practice shall be implemented on all forms of public transportation which includes aviation, railways, on-road, as well as maritime vehicles. Vehicles will also be limited in their capacity to operate under GCQ, and adding another safety measure like this is expected to protect public health and safety.