Balanga church to require face shields for parishioners

The faithful in the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan will now be required to also wear a face shield especially when attending public masses.
 
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said they will make the wearing of face shield "compulsary" amid the increasing number of the coronavirus disease 2019 cases in Bataan.
 
"Here, it is a must to wear face masks during Holy Mass and encourage our parishioners to wear face shields," he said in an interview.
 
"But as we are monitoring in Bataan the increase of COVID-19 positive, we will adapt compulsory wearing of face shields," added Santos.
 
He said their diocesan parish greeters, usherettes and lay ministers of holy communion are also required to wear face masks and face shields as an added protection against COVID-19.
 
Santos said the same goes for their diocesan schools.
 
"In our Diocesan schools it is compulsory for our teaching and non teaching personnel to wear face shields. We provide for them," he said.
 
In the Archdiocese of Manila, Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they will ask parishioners to also wear a face shield if required by the barangay.
 
So far, he said, the faithful are only required to wear a face mask.
 
Public masses are currently suspended in both dioceses in response to the call of the medical community for a "time out." 
 
Last week, the Department of Transportation required passengers in public vehicles to wear face masks and face shields starting August 15.
 
The Department of Labor and Employment said employees are also required to face shields in workplaces beginning this month.