The provincial Capitol and the Tagbilaran City Hall have imposed the mandatory wearing of face shields by all persons entering both government buildings as the number of COVID-19 cases in Bohol continued to surge.

According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Anthony Damalerio, the directive took effect on Monday.

“Precautionary measure ni tungod sa pagsaka sa cases sa Tagbilaran,” said Damalerio.

The prescribed shields are those that fully cover the face, he added.

The shields will be worn on top of the already mandatory face masks.

Since last week, the Capitol has also been conducting regular disinfection of offices every after work hours starting at 5 p.m.  

Meanwhile, the Tagbilaran City local government mandated the wearing of face shields in all offices of the city and in public markets.

Those caught violating the directive will face fines of up to P5,000 and imprisonment of up to six months as stipulated in Ordinance C-305.

As of Monday morning, there were 446 active COVID-19 cases in Bohol.

More than half of these, at 235 cases, were recorded in Tagbilaran City. (R. Tutas)