FACE MASK WITH FACE SHIELD NOW REQUIRED IN LA UNION
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC-SP | Photo By: Mark Andrew G. Sanchez, SP | Date: October 20, 2020
The 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approves on 3rd and Final Reading during its 69th Regular Session on October 20, 2020 the Full-Face Shield Ordinance. The ordinance aims to raise health protocols to further reduce the risks of transmitting the Corona Virus Disease 2019 in public transport and other facilities as health authorities pointed out that the use of face shields and masks to reduce the exposure and the emission of respiratory droplets.
With the passage of the Full-Face Shield Ordinance during the 69th Regular Session of the 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan on October 20, 2020, wearing of full-face shield in public transport vehicles, business establishments, private and government offices and all public places is now mandatory. The wearing of face shield shall likewise be required in supermarkets, public markets, malls and venue squares, and where government initiative meetings and critical government services are being conducted or provided.
The ordinance aims to raise health protocols to further reduce the risks of transmitting the Corona Virus Disease 2019 in public transport and other facilities as health authorities pointed out that the use of face shield and masks can reduce the exposure and the emission of respiratory droplets.[JTF1]
On October 5, 2020, the ordinance was subjected to a face- to- face and virtual public hearing, where 63 representatives from offices of various organizations and national agencies, Local Government Units, transport sector, entrepreneurs, owners of business establishments, Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations, academe and media attended the public hearing via video conference and shared their thoughts and expertise to further enhance the ordinance. Likewise, a total of 133 comments from netizens over the Provincial Government of La Union Facebook page were considered in the review of the ordinance.
Any person/s who are caught violating this ordinance will be fined P500.00 for the first offense and P1,000.00 for the second offense. For the third and succeeding offenses, the individual will be fined P2,500.00 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both in the discretion of the court.
With the mandatory use of full-face shield as provided in the ordinance in addition to the appropriate wearing of face mark and strict observance of physical distancing, we enable the people as strong health partners of the government in preventing the spread and transmission of the virus, thus, helping build a Stronger La Union.
