Face masks, shields now mandatory at NAIA

Authorities on Saturday started enforcing the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Effective August 15, all passengers are required to wear face shields as well as face masks to comply with Department of Transportation regulations. It applies to all domestic and international flights.

Departing passengers not wearing masks and shields will not be allowed to board the flight. The check-in counter will ask them to produce or purchase the protective device inside NAIA terminals.

A face shield is being sold at the airport from P150 to P350.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines station manager Joanne Doromal said some restaurants at NAIA Terminal 3 are also selling face masks and shields.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal said the masks and shields must be worn at airports and on board flights, except during meals or when instructed by the flight or cabin crew to remove the protective device.

Monreal instructed the airport police department to ensure the implementation of the new policy.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said PAL urged their clients to purchase face shields with good quality and in good condition, clear and sturdy, and must fit comfortably and cover the entire face.

She said they also asked the passengers to bring an extra supply of face shields in their carry-on baggage in case they need to replace the first one if it is damaged.

Passengers are also encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizers and on-board travel essentials, including writing pens needed to fill up required forms.

Children up to 2 years old and Individuals with respiratory concerns or have difficulty breathing are exempted from wearing the device.

Villaluna said the new directive on face shields complements their existing multi-layered safety measures such as the use by the cabin crew of full PPE or Personal Protective Equipment in flight, the availability of hand sanitizers on-ground and inflight;

Thermal scanning of all passengers, modified inflight service with packaged meals, installation of protective barriers at airport and ticket office counters, intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces using high grade eco-friendly cleaning agents;

High-tech cabin air flow systems to refresh cabin air, and use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters to cleanse cabin air of impurities, bacteria and viruses, with 99.99% efficacy.