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Davao lifts face shield use in PUJs but commuters stay vigilant

By Che Palicte

October 28, 2021, 3:38 pm

DAVAO CITY – Commuters have welcomed the decision of the city government to allow residents to forego using face shields in public utility jeepneys (PUJ) but said they would remain vigilant.

Joy Carson, a convenience store owner who commutes daily, said despite the new development, she will continue to use the face shield in PUJs amid threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“I still worry about catching the virus. I will continue to use it as I value my safety and that of my family,” she told Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview Thursday.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, Davao City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson, said the new guidelines on PUJs were approved since there is a low risk of spreading the infection inside as long there is proper ventilation.
“It was clearly emphasized by the mayor when it is closed and confined, the face shield is necessary. So she defined there that jeepney - it is not closed and confined, it is open with free ventilation,” she said.

In a radio interview Monday, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said based on Executive Order 51 Series of 2021, face shields are to be used only in three C’s - crowded places with many people nearby, close-contact settings, especially where people have close-range conversations, and confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

“Jeepneys do not belong to the 3Cs because the majority of them are not enclosed. The L3 (type of PUJ) is air-conditioned and that is a confined and enclosed space, the taxi is air-conditioned - with a closed window that is an enclosed space,” she said.

She added: “If the windows will be opened, it is no longer a confined and enclosed space because the air from the outside circulates to the inside.”

Roland Tayo, a daily commuter who frequently goes to the public market, also welcomed the government's decision to relax some restrictions in the city.

“We agree on it but we must not be complacent as the virus is still around us,” he told PNA.

Among the crowded places identified by Duterte were swab sites, vaccination sites, evacuation centers, distribution of assistance, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) voters’ registration.

Close-contact settings are those where there is “contact between individuals within six feet of each other for more than 15 minutes”.

Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation are those indoor structures with roofs and walls and without open windows.

“Those who enter the church with open windows are not required to wear face shields, same as inside jeepneys,” Duterte said. (PNA)

 

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