Bello: Employees required to wear face shields beginning August 15

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday announced that wearing of face shields, aside from face masks, is required among employees in workplaces beginning August 15.

"Effective August 15, hindi lang face mask ang gamitin mo, kasama na ang face shield. So, 'yun ang bagong protocol ngayon," Bello told reporters at the sidelines of an event in Antipolo City.

"Para kasi 'yung contamination o transmission, hindi naman limited lang sa ilong eh. Puwede rin sa mata," he added.

Bello said the Inter-Agency Task Force has proposed that the employers will purchase the face shields for their employees.

"Ang proposal ng IATF is for the employer. Tutal one time lang naman eh, minsan ka lang bibili, baka hindi naman masyadong mabigat," Bello said.

If employees will not follow this health protocol, he/she will not be allowed to enter the workplace, according to Bello.

He added that employers could be held administratively liable if this health measure will not be observed in the workplace; but he said non-observance will not result in closure of the workplace.

"Huwag namang ganong kabigat... maaaring penalty lang siguro or reminder," Bello said.

In addition to that, the IATF also ordered limiting individuals using smoking areas in workplaces.

"'Yung sa smoking area, isang tao lang at a time. Hindi puwedeng dalawa," Bello said.

On Saturday, the mandatory wearing of face shields in all mass transport vehicles will be in effect under the Department of Transportation Memorandum Circular No. 2020-014. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News