By Betheena Unite
While drivers of public utility vehicles are exposed to a lot of people every day, it might be prudent for them to use mask to protect themselves and their passengers, a health official said Monday.
Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo
(RTVM / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
On questions whether public utility vehicles drivers must be required to wear mask, following a directive from the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Department of Health said it's only wise for drivers to comply with the order.
"Yung drivers siyempre yung exposure niyan to a lot of people every day kasi tuloy tuloy naman yung pasada niya and it might be prudent for the drivers to use a mask to protect himself at para hindi makahawa (Drivers are exposed to a lot of people every day because of their trips the entire day, and it might be prudent for drivers to use a mask to protect himself and to avoid transmission)," Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a press briefing Monday.
In a memorandum circular issued by the LTFRB, all PUV drivers and conductors shall properly wear face masks at all times while on duty.
Domingo also said that when walking outdoors or in a mall that is not too crowded, "it's okay not to wear masks."
"But we always advocate that if you are going into a more crowded area and that includes PUV, MRT, LRT na sisiksikan at may mga umuubo (that has a lot of people and there are some who are coughing) then it might be useful to wear a mask with your strict hand-washing regularly," Domingo furthered.