CEBU CITY — Aside from drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs), workers of establishments that have been allowed to resume operations in the province of Cebu are also required to air purifiers.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 41, requiring that those working in restaurants and other similar establishments as well personal care services including spas, salons, parlors, and barber shops must wear personal air purifiers aside from facemasks.
Garcia has previously issued an EO requiring PUV drivers and conductors to wear necklace air purifiers as an added protection against COVID-19.
Gwen defends mandatory use of air purifiers among drivers
Under the EO, indoor establishments were also required to have proper ventilation and air purifiers with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and ionizer.
A labor group is opposing Garcia’s new order.
In a statement, AMA Sugbo-KMU chairperson Jaime Paglinawan said the new policy is an added financial burden for workers unless it will be shouldered by the provincial government.
Paglinawan is urging the Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Employment to intervene against the governor’s policy.
Instead of the mandatory wearing of purifiers, the governor should instead focus on the province vaccination campaign, providing assistance and on its COVID-19 response, Paglinawan said.