Valenzuela City now requires all employees of public and private offices or establishments to wear face shields during work hours and within their place of work.
Ordinance No. 770, Series of 2020 or the "Wear Your Face Shield Ordinance of Valenzuela City" was approved last August 17 during the City Council's 50th Regular Session.
Mayor Rex Gatchalian noted the urgency to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace, which may lead to a citywide spread of contagion.
However, employees of offices or establishments where acrylic barriers are installed between workstations are exempted from wearing face shields.
The Department of Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) had issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 20-04-A, Series of 2020 last August 15, mandating the use of face shields in workplaces.
By the recent guidelines issued by the national government, wearing face shields must be strictly observed. Face shields should also cover the entire face — completely covering the sides and length of the face. If possible, face shields should also extend to the ears and below the chin.
The ordinance also reiterates that visor-type face shields are not allowed.
Face shields and masks should always be worn together when interacting with colleagues, clients, and/or visitors, the ordinance notes. Lastly, face shields may only be removed according to the demands of the work, or when the occupational safety and health of the employees so require.
Failure to comply with the ordinance will be charged by administrative penalty of P1,000 or 24 hours community service on the First Offense, P3,000 or 46 hours of community service for the Second Offense, and P5,000 or 72 hours’ community service for the Third Offense.
Advancing safety precautions and standards gives high hopes to Valenzuelanos that through initiatives like this, the City can attain a COVID-19-free environment, Gatchalian said.
With the other extensive protocols and ordinances passed in the city-level, the mayor is confident in overcoming this pandemic through effective implementation and cooperation of the entire City Government and its constituents.
